<h3><SPAN name="chap172"></SPAN>172 The Sole</h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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