When all was ready for the bonfire, Fin-fin rubbed two sticks briskly together. Soon a spark fell upon the wood, and instantly the flames leaped upward. Then the fishes put some roots in front of the fire to roast.
While the roots were cooking, the fishes stretched themselves under the trees. They had almost fallen asleep, when suddenly great drops of rain came splashing down.
A dark cloud, which they had not noticed, had covered the sun.
The rain fell hard and fast and soon put out the fire.
Now, you know, this was very serious, for people in those days had no matches, and it was difficult to light a fire. Then, too, an icy wind began to blow, and the fishes were soon shivering in the cold.
"We shall freeze to death unless we can build a fire again," cried Fin-fin.
He tried to kindle a flame by rubbing two sticks together. He could not produce even one spark.
"It is of no use," said Fin-fin. "The wood is too wet. We shall have to wait for the sun to shine again."
A tiny fish came forward and bowed before Fin-fin, saying, "Ask my father, Flying-fish, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic, and he can do more than most fishes."
So Fin-fin asked Flying-fish to light the fire once more.