A Fisherman had been toiling all
day, and
had caught nothing.
"I will make one more effort," thought
he,
"and then I must go home."
He threw in his line, and soon drew up
a
very small perch.
The little Fish was terribly frightened
when
he found himself out of water,
and with a
sharp hook sticking in his mouth; and he said
to the Fisherman.
"O sir, take pity
upon me, and throw me
into the water again!
See what a little
thing I am, I should not make one mouthful
for you now: but if you leave me in the water,
I shall grow large and stout, and then I shall
be worth catching. You can
make a dinner
of me, or sell me for a good price."
"Ah!" said the Fisherman, "it
is true you
are small, but I have you safely now. If
I
should throw you back, I might never catch
you again. I will keep you;" and he put
the
little Fish into his basket, and took him home
with him.
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