Marty the Clownfish: A Heartwarming Lesson in Being Yourself

Word Bank 
clownfish
dogfish
humor
ocean
lionfish
serious
shark
giggle

Marty the Clownfish
In the deep blue ocean, Marty the clownfish swam with a heavy heart. Even though he was a clownfish, Marty was not good at being funny. Being funny was tough for him.

He was quite serious and never made other fishes giggle.

With a hope to make others laugh, he shared jokes with the lionfish, and the dogfish. Sadly, none of them found his jokes funny.

“I’m a clownfish, I’m supposed to bring laughter,” Marty lamented aloud.

A shark who was swimming nearby heard Marty. He told Marty, “You don’t need to be funny to be loved. You are caring, and intelligent. You are friendly.”

“But clownfish should bring laughs, like clowns do,” Marty replied.

The shark told him wisely, “Lionfish do not behave like lions. Dogfish do not act like dogs. Marty, you don’t have to act. Just be yourself.”

Taking the shark’s advice to heart, Marty stopped trying to make others laugh. Suddenly, all the fishes started to like him for who he was. Soon, Marty had lots of friends in the ocean.

One sunny day, Marty announced, “I am going to tell a joke.”

“No Marty!” the fish responded in unison. “No more jokes!”

Marty chuckled and said, “I’m just kidding!”

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1. Choose the correct answer.
What type of fish is Marty?
a. goldfish
b. clownfish
c. pufferfish
d. angelfish

Why was Marty upset?
a. He was not tall.
b. He was not fast.
c. He was not amusing.
d. He was not shiny.

What important lesson did Marty learn?
a. Be true to yourself.
b. Swim faster.
c. Always be honest.
d. Be a hard worker.

2. Circle the correct choice in the sentences below.
In the story, who advised Marty? ( stingray / shark )

At the end of the story, Marty wants to ( share a story / crack a joke ).
Marty lives in the ( pond / ocean ).

3. Write a sentence about how Marty made new friends in the story.

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Marty the Clownfish (answers)
1. Choose the correct answer.
What kind of fish is Marty?
b. clownfish
Why was Marty upset?
c. He was not amusing.
What important lesson did Marty learn?
a. Be true to yourself.

2. Circle the correct choice in the sentences below.
In the story, who advised Marty? Shark
At the end of the story, Marty wants to tell a joke
Marty lives in the ocean

3. Write how Marty got new friends in the story.
Marty made friends by being true to himself, without trying to be funny.

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