I have a villager who dislikes running and is scared of fish as well. I feel really sorry for her and am nursing her along carefully in the hope she'll become an Elder. She became a master scientist without too much problem and despite her speed made it to master parent. I'm now trying to get her to reach master farmer, but she keeps "running" away (in slow motion) whenever she goes near the food bin. She's an adept but has still some way to go before reaching master.