Story Summary
Three brothers, Tanyen, Zhoshu, and Penhun, live together in a small cottage. While the hardworking Tanyen supports the family, his lazy brothers do nothing. When all three set out to seek their fortune, only Tanyen has the grit to complete a mysterious challenge set by an old woman. His reward: a vast farm. The story ends with all three brothers learning the true meaning of fortune - it lives in one's own hands.
Full Story
Long ago, there lived three brothers. They had a small farm and a little cottage in which they lived. The eldest brother, Tanyen, worked hard in the fields while his lazy and selfish brothers, Zhoshu and Penhun, ate and slept all day. It was difficult to meet the needs of the family on the meagre income the farm produced. One day, Tanyen turned to his brothers and said, "It is not possible to carry on like this! I will go out, seek my fortune, and become rich so I can provide for both of you."
Zhoshu and Penhun did not like the idea at all. "Why should Tanyen become rich?" they whispered to each other. "We should go out and seek our fortune too!"
So the selfish brothers devised a plan. Zhoshu went to Tanyen first. "Brother! I have realised my responsibilities," said Zhoshu. "I will go out, seek my fortune, and become rich so I can share your burden." "As you wish, dear Zhoshu!" smiled Tanyen. That morning at breakfast, Zhoshu pretended to be very loving and caring. "Eat well, Penhun," he said, "and do not worry - I shall soon return rich!" He then took leave of his brothers and started his journey.
He walked throughout the day. By late evening, hungry and tired, he reached another village. He went up to a hut and knocked at the door. An old woman answered: "Who is there?"
"I am a traveller," Zhoshu replied. "May I stay here for the night?" "Only if you remove all the stars from that pool," said the old woman, pointing to a shimmering pool of water nearby.
Zhoshu stared at the pool. How can I remove those stars? he thought. They are nothing but a reflection of the sky! Puzzled and exhausted, he turned back home. "I could not find my fortune anywhere," he told his brothers.
Next, Penhun decided to try his luck. He wandered until he too reached the old woman's hut, and she asked him the very same thing - to fish out the stars from the pool. "How is that possible?" he thought, and returned home just as empty-handed. "Nowhere could I find my fortune," he said sadly.
Now it was Tanyen's turn. When he reached the old woman's hut and was asked to perform the same task, he did not puzzle over impossibility. He humbly asked for a bucket. The old woman gave him one. Tanyen waded into the pool and began to throw out bucketful after bucketful of water. He worked hard all through the night, until the pool was completely dry - not a drop remained.
In the morning, when the old woman came out of her hut, Tanyen showed her the dry pit. "I have removed all the stars, good mother," he said. The old woman's face lit up with a wide smile. She led him to a huge farm spreading across the hillside and said, "This is your reward. From today, you are the owner of this farm."
Tanyen thanked the old woman from the bottom of his heart and returned home a rich man.
"I have found my fortune!" he announced. "But where?" asked his brothers in disbelief. "I found it in my own hands," replied Tanyen. He then told them everything that had happened. His lazy brothers, finally understanding the truth in his words, resolved to work hard from that day forward.
And so all three brothers lived happily for the rest of their lives.
Moral of the Story
True fortune is not found in luck, shortcuts, or the labours of others. It lives in the honest effort of your own two hands. Work patiently, work completely, and the reward will find you.
Key Characters
- Tanyen: The eldest brother. Hardworking, humble, and patient.
- Zhoshu: The middle brother. Lazy and envious, he sets out only because he does not want Tanyen to prosper alone.
- Penhun: The youngest brother. Like Zhoshu, he is selfish and idle.
- The Old Woman: A wise and mysterious figure who sets the test of the starlit pool.
Why Kids Love This Story
- A magical puzzle - the riddle of the stars in the pool is mysterious and delightful.
- Satisfying triumph - children root for Tanyen and love watching hard work win.
- Air and clear justice - the lazy brothers do not suffer; they grow. The ending feels warm, not harsh.
- A relatable lesson - children already know what it feels like to skip effort. This story shows them why that matters.
FAQs About the Story
Where does this folk tale come from?
The Three Brothers is a traditional folk tale from Nagaland, a state in north-eastern India. Nagaland is home to numerous Naga tribes, each with a deep tradition of oral storytelling, folklore, and community wisdom passed down through generations.
What task does the old woman give the brothers?
The old woman asks each brother to remove all the stars from a pool of water. Zhoshu and Penhun see it as impossible - the stars are just reflections - and give up. Tanyen asks for a bucket and simply empties the pool overnight, earning his reward.
What does "I found my fortune in my own hands" mean?
Tanyen means that he did not find fortune through luck or someone else's help - he created it through his own effort and persistence. It is a powerful reminder to children that self-reliance and determination are the surest routes to success.