Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/226

210                    THE JADE STORY BOOK through the water, and that without fatigue and almost without movement.

Then said Sin: "I would give a good deal to be like you."

"Do you mean that you would like to become a fish?"

"I do," said Sin; "and I would give up all the money I squeezed out of the people when I was a magistrate if I could enjoy the river as you do."

"Then come with me," said the fish; and turning round he swam up-stream, going very slowly so that Sin should not lose sight of him.

At length they reached a spot where a huge carp lay, surrounded by attendant fishes. Sin could see he was the king fish by the reverent manner with which the others regarded him.

Sin's guide approached the fish king, and said:

"Your Highness, here is a poor man who wants very much to become a fish, and so I have ventured to bring him into your presence." He then motioned Sin to approach.