III The fish came up out of the sea. "My wife wishes to live in a castle," said the fisherman. "Go home," said the fish, "Your wife has her wish." There was a lovely castle. They had everything-a coach with black horses to drive into town. "Is this not lovely?" asked his wife. "We shall see in the morning," said he. What do you think the wife said in the morning? I shall tell you. "Go back to your fish and tell him you wish to be king," said she. "I do not wish to be king," said the man. "But I wish to be queen," said the wife. Back the old fisherman went to the sea. "Little fish, little fish, Come, I pray, and talk to me." IV The fish came up out of the sea. "Go home," said the fish, "Your wife has her wish." The fisherman went home. The new castle was very, very big. His wife sat on the throne. "Do I not look lovely on this throne?" asked the wife. "We shall see in the morning," said he. The sun came up too soon to please the wife. She wished to sleep. "Go back to your fish," said the wife. "Tell him I wish to rule the sun." "Oh, do not make me," said the fisherman "Do as I tell you!" said the wife. Back the old fisherman went to the sea. "Little fish, little fish, Come, I pray, and talk to me." V The fish came up out of the sea. "What do you wish of me?" cried he. "My wife wishes to rule the sun," said the fisherman. "No one can do that," said the fish. "Your wife is back in her old home." And there she was! |