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.
