Bab Bab 161 · The Sole

. The Sole

The fishes had for a long time been discontented because no order

prevailed in their kingdom. None of them turned aside for the others,

but all swam to the right or the left as they fancied, or darted

between those who wanted to stay together, or got into their way; and a

strong one gave a weak one a blow with its tail, which drove it away,

or else swallowed it up without more ado. “How delightful it would be,”

said they, “if we had a king who enforced law and justice among us!”

and they met together to choose for their ruler, the one who could

cleave through the water most quickly, and give help to the weak ones.

They placed themselves in rank and file by the shore, and the pike gave

the signal with his tail, on which they all started. Like an arrow, the

pike darted away, and with him the herring, the gudgeon, the perch, the

carp, and all the rest of them. Even the sole swam with them, and hoped

to reach the winning-place. All at once, the cry was heard, “The

herring is first!” “Who is first?” screamed angrily the flat envious

sole, who had been left far behind, “who is first?” “The herring! The

herring,” was the answer. “The naked herring?” cried the jealous

creature, “the naked herring?” Since that time the sole’s mouth has

been at one side for a punishment.