’Tis not the torture of the net;
But that my wife should think of me,
’He’s gone now to another for delight.’”
Now just then the chaplain came down, attended by his slaves, to bathe at the ford. And he understood the language of all animals. So on hearing the fish’s lament, he thought to himself:
“This fish is lamenting the lament of sin. Should he die in this unhealthy state of mind, he will assuredly be reborn in hell. I will save him.”
And he went to the fishermen, and said—
“My good men! don’t you furnish a fish for us every day for our curry?”
“What is this you are saying, sir?” answered the fishermen. “Take away any fish you like!”
“We want no other: only give us this one.”
“Take it, then, sir.”