"I have many white herrings," said one.
"I have many sprats," said another.
"I have many red herrings," said the other.
"I have much salt fish. Let all go into the pond or pool, and we shall
fare like lords next year."
At the beginning of next year following the men drew near the pond to
have their fish, and there was nothing but a great eel. "Ah," said they
all, "a mischief on this eel, for he has eaten up all our fish."
"What shall we do to him?" said one to the others.
"Kill him," said one.
"Chop him into pieces," said another. "Not so," said another; "let us
drown him."
"Be it so," said all. And they went to another pond, and cast the eel
into the pond. "Lie there and shift for yourself, for no help thou shalt
have from us;" and they left the eel to drown.
_Of Sending Rent_
Once on a time the men of Gotham had forgotten to pay their landlord.
One said to the other, "To-morrow is our pay-day, and what shall we find
to send our money to our landlord?"
The one said, "This day I have caught a hare, and he shall carry it, for
he is light of foot.
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