The little fishes said, “It is good, friend. If so, take us and put us down there.”
The Pond Heron said, “If so, let one come [first, and see the river],” and holding it with his bill he took it to the river, and put it down.
That small fish going in the water all round the river came near the Pond Heron. Then the Pond Heron having said to the small fish, “Let us go, friend,” the small fish said, “Friend, I cannot go.”
The Pond Heron said, “No, friend, let us go. Can you remain, without going? Your other people are to come.”
Afterwards the small fish said “Hā.” So the Pond Heron, taking the small fish with his bill, came flying back. Having come to a great rough tree, and settled on a branch of the tree, he ate the small fish.
Again he went flying to the place where the small fishes were. The small fishes asked, “Friend, one of us went with you. Where is he?”
The Pond Heron replied, “Friends, he said he would not come. He stayed in the river.”
Then those small fishes said, “If so, go with us, and put us down in it.”
After that, the Pond Heron, taking one of them, settled on the tree at which he ate that small fish, and ate it. Again he came to the place where the other small fishes were. Then those small fishes said, “Friend, take us also, and put us in the river.”
The Pond Heron again having taken a small fish and settled on that very tree, ate it. Thus, in that way having taken the small fishes until they were finished, he ate them all.