do not wish for wings to fly, for I do not care to poke my nose
into strange places; I might get lost or hurt, you know; I was
contented enough until the other day, when I saw a great rope come
down into the water, and fasten itself in some mysterious way
about the gills of a sweet little cousin of mine, and she was
hauled and dragged out of the water before my eyes, wriggling and
struggling with fright and pain. It scared me terribly, your
worshipful honor; for I thought this dreadful rope might some time
fasten upon me. Now, all I desire, is to know the meaning of this
rope, and of every single one of the dangers to which you have
subjected us poor little fishes.'

"No sooner said than done. Neptune opened the eyes of the little
trout in such a marvellous manner, that he understood in a moment
all about snares, nets, hooks, and the lines, which he called a
rope, artificial flies, and every other danger to which little
fishes are exposed.

"At first he was perfectly delighted with his newly-acquired
knowledge, and he took precious good care from this time forth,
not to go into deep water, for fear a great greedy pike or some
other great fish might be there and swallow him up at a mouthful.
He kept away from the shallow places in hot weather, lest the sun
should dry them up. When he saw a shadow on the water, he said to
himself, 'Halloo! here are the good-for-nothing fishermen with
their nets!' and immediately he sculled away and got under the
banks, where he sat trembling in all his scales; and when he saw a
tempting fly skimming on the water, or a nice fat worm, he did not
dare to bite, although he was half-starved. 'No, no,' said the
little trout, 'I am not such a fool as all that comes to; go and
tempt those _flats_, the flounders; _I_ know better.'

"In this way the poor little silver trout kept himself in a
continual fright and flurry; and, of course, could neither eat,
drink, nor sleep, for fear some mischief might be at hand.

"He grew poorer and poorer, and sighed and frightened himself to
skin and bone, until at last--ah me!--dear me!--alas! he died, for
fear of dying.

"Now when Neptune came to the youngest trout, and asked him what
he wished for, he said: 'Oh, your great big Highness, you know I
am but a very foolish and good-for-nothing little fish; I don