The Sole
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
The sole
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
The fishes had for a long time been discontented because no order prevailed in their kingdom. None of them turned aside for the others, but all swam to the right or the left as they fancied, or darted between those who wanted to stay together, or got into their way; and a strong one gave a weak one a blow with its tail, which drove it away, or else swallowed it up without more ado. "How delightful it would be," said they, "if we had a king who enforced law and justice among us!" and they met together to choose for their ruler, the one who could cleave through the water most quickly, and give help to the weak ones.
They placed themselves in rank and file by the shore, and the pike gave the signal with his tail, on which they all started. Like an arrow, the pike darted away, and with him the herring, the gudgeon, the perch, the carp, and all the rest of them. Even the sole swam with them, and hoped to reach the winning-place. All at once, the cry was heard, "The herring is first!" - "Who is first?" screamed angrily the flat envious sole, who had been left far behind, "who is first?" - "The herring! The herring," was the answer. "The naked herring?" cried the jealous creature, "the naked herring?" Since that time the sole's mouth has been at one side for a punishment.
- * * * *
Story DNA
Moral
Envy and malicious words can lead to lasting, unpleasant consequences.
Plot Summary
The fish kingdom is in disarray, prompting the fish to decide on a race to choose a king who can establish order and justice. During the race, the herring wins, but the sole, far behind and consumed by envy, maliciously questions the victory and insults the herring. As a direct consequence of its spiteful words, the sole's mouth is permanently twisted to one side.
Themes
Emotional Arc
disorder to hope to envy to punishment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The Brothers Grimm collected and published folk tales, often with clear morals and explanations for natural phenomena or animal characteristics.
Plot Beats (8)
- Fish in their kingdom are discontented due to a lack of order and justice, with stronger fish harming weaker ones.
- They decide to elect a king who can bring law and justice, choosing the fastest swimmer.
- All the fish, including the pike, herring, gudgeon, perch, carp, and sole, gather for the race.
- The pike signals the start, and all fish dart away.
- The herring is declared the winner of the race.
- The sole, having been left far behind, angrily and enviously questions who won.
- Upon hearing it was the herring, the sole maliciously calls it 'the naked herring'.
- As a punishment for its envy and malicious words, the sole's mouth is twisted to one side.
Characters
The Sole
A flat fish, initially with a normal mouth, but after its punishment, its mouth is permanently on one side of its head.
Envious, angry, jealous, slow-witted (in terms of speed)
The Herring
A fish known for its speed, described as 'naked' by the Sole, implying a lack of distinguishing features or perhaps scales compared to other fish.
Fast, competitive, successful
The Pike
A fish capable of giving a signal with its tail, implying a strong, authoritative presence.
Authoritative, competitive
Locations
The Fishes' Kingdom
An underwater realm where fish swim freely, often chaotically, with no order or justice.
Mood: Chaotic, discontented, yearning for order.
The fish express their discontent and decide to choose a king.
The Starting Line by the Shore
A designated area within the water, close to the shore, where the fish line up in rank and file for the race.
Mood: Anticipatory, competitive.
The fish gather for the race to decide their king.
The Race Course
The open water through which the fish dart like arrows, a path from the starting line to the winning-place.
Mood: Fast-paced, competitive, dynamic.
The fish race to determine who will be king, and the herring wins.