Why the Fish Laughed
by Unknown · from Indian Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there was a Queen. She loved fish. One day, a fish woman came. She had a very big fish. The Queen looked at it. "Are you a boy or girl?" she asked. The big fish opened its mouth. "Ha ha ha!" It laughed!
The Queen was very, very angry. She ran to the King. "The fish laughed at me!" she said. The King did not believe her. But he called his helper. "Find out why the fish laughed!" he said. "If not, you will be in big trouble!"
The King's Helper tried hard. He asked many people. He asked wise people. He asked old people. But no one knew the answer. He was very sad. "My son, you must go away," he said. "The King is angry. I do not want you in trouble."
The Clever Son walked for many days. He met an old farmer on the road. The son said strange things. "Can you tell me a story? I will tell you one too," he said. They saw a big field of food. "Is this food eaten or not?" he asked.
The Farmer did not know. He thought the son was silly. But the Farmer was kind. "Come to my house," he said. "You can stay with us. You will make us laugh!"
The Farmer had a clever daughter. She heard the son's strange words. "Father, he is not silly!" she said. "He is very smart!" She told her father. The Farmer was very surprised.
The Clever Daughter sent food to the son. It was a secret message. The son knew it. He found a bad servant. The servant stole some food. The son knew right away.
The son told them his sad story. "My father is in big trouble," he said. "The King is angry. A fish laughed. My father must find out why."
The Clever Daughter thought and thought. "I know!" she said. "The fish laughed. It saw a bad thing. There is a man in the palace. He wears women's clothes. He is not honest!"
Son and Daughter went to the palace. They told the King's Helper. Then they told the King. The King listened well.
The King had a clever idea. "All women step over this line!" he said. All the women stepped over it. But one could not do it well. Her steps were big and clumsy. It was a man! He wore women's clothes!
The Queen was very happy now. The King's Helper was safe. The King was pleased. The Clever Son married the Clever Daughter. They lived happy ever after.
It is good to be clever. It is good to listen to wise people. At times, silly things hide a big secret.
Original Story
Why the Fish Laughed.
s a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish, the queen appeared at one of the windows and beckoned her to come near and show what she had. At that moment a very big fish jumped about in the bottom of the basket.
"Is it a he or a she?" inquired the queen. "I wish to purchase a she fish."
On hearing this the fish laughed aloud.
"It's a he," replied the fisherwoman, and proceeded on her rounds.
The queen returned to her room in a great rage; and on coming to see her in the evening, the king noticed that something had disturbed her.
"Are you indisposed?" he said.
"No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange behaviour of a fish. A woman brought me one to-day, and on my inquiring whether it was a male or female, the fish laughed most rudely."
"A fish laugh! Impossible! You must be dreaming."
"I am not a fool. I speak of what I have seen with my own eyes and have heard with my own ears."
"Passing strange! Be it so. I will inquire concerning it."
On the morrow the king repeated to his vizier what his wife had told him, and bade him investigate the matter, and be ready with a satisfactory answer within six months, on pain of death. The vizier promised to do his best, though he felt almost certain of failure. For five months he laboured indefatigably to find a reason for the laughter of the fish. He sought everywhere and from every one. The wise and learned, and they who were skilled in magic and in all manner of trickery, were consulted. Nobody, however, could explain the matter; and so he returned broken-hearted to his house, and began to arrange his affairs in prospect of certain death, for he had had sufficient experience of the king to know that His Majesty would not go back from his threat. Amongst other things, he advised his son to travel for a time, until the king's anger should have somewhat cooled.
The young fellow, who was both clever and handsome, started off whithersoever Kismat might lead him. He had been gone some days, when he fell in with an old farmer, who also was on a journey to a certain village. Finding the old man very pleasant, he asked him if he might accompany him, professing to be on a visit to the same place. The old farmer agreed, and they walked along together. The day was hot, and the way was long and weary.
"Don't you think it would be pleasanter if you and I sometimes gave one another a lift?" said the youth.
"What a fool the man is!" thought the old farmer.
Presently they passed through a field of corn ready for the sickle, and looking like a sea of gold as it waved to and fro in the breeze.
"Is this eaten or not?" said the young man.
Not understanding his meaning, the old man replied, "I don't know."
After a little while the two travellers arrived at a big village, where the young man gave his companion a clasp-knife, and said, "Take this, friend, and get two horses with it; but mind and bring it back, for it is very precious."
The old man, looking half amused and half angry, pushed back the knife, muttering something to the effect that his friend was either a fool himself or else trying to play the fool with him. The young man pretended not to notice his reply, and remained almost silent till they reached the city, a short distance outside which was the old farmer's house. They walked about the bazaar and went to the mosque, but nobody saluted them or invited them to come in and rest.
"What a large cemetery!" exclaimed the young man.
"What does the man mean," thought the old farmer, "calling this largely populated city a cemetery?"
On leaving the city their way led through a cemetery where a few people were praying beside a grave and distributing chapatis and kulchas to passers-by, in the name of their beloved dead. They beckoned to the two travellers and gave them as much as they would.
"What a splendid city this is!" said the young man.
"Now, the man must surely be demented!" thought the old farmer. "I wonder what he will do next? He will be calling the land water, and the water land; and be speaking of light where there is darkness, and of darkness when it is light." However, he kept his thoughts to himself.
Presently they had to wade through a stream that ran along the edge of the cemetery. The water was rather deep, so the old farmer took off his shoes and paijamas and crossed over; but the young man waded through it with his shoes and paijamas on.
"Well! I never did see such a perfect fool, both in word and in deed," said the old man to himself.
However, he liked the fellow; and thinking that he would amuse his wife and daughter, he invited him to come and stay at his house as long as he had occasion to remain in the village.
"Thank you very much," the young man replied; "but let me first inquire, if you please, whether the beam of your house is strong."
The old farmer left him in despair, and entered his house laughing.
"There is a man in yonder field," he said, after returning their greetings. "He has come the greater part of the way with me, and I wanted him to put up here as long as he had to stay in this village. But the fellow is such a fool that I cannot make anything out of him. He wants to know if the beam of this house is all right. The man must be mad!" and saying this, he burst into a fit of laughter.
"Father," said the farmer's daughter, who was a very sharp and wise girl, "this man, whosoever he is, is no fool, as you deem him. He only wishes to know if you can afford to entertain him."
"Oh! of course," replied the farmer. "I see. Well perhaps you can help me to solve some of his other mysteries. While we were walking together he asked whether he should carry me or I should carry him, as he thought that would be a pleasanter mode of proceeding."
"Most assuredly," said the girl. "He meant that one of you should tell a story to beguile the time."
"Oh yes. Well, we were passing through a corn-field, when he asked me whether it was eaten or not."
"And didn't you know the meaning of this, father? He simply wished to know if the man was in debt or not; because, if the owner of the field was in debt, then the produce of the field was as good as eaten to him; that is, it would have to go to his creditors."
"Yes, yes, yes; of course! Then, on entering a certain village, he bade me take his clasp knife and get two horses with it, and bring back the knife again to him."
"Are not two stout sticks as good as two horses for helping one along on the road? He only asked you to cut a couple of sticks and be careful not to lose his knife."
"I see," said the farmer. "While we were walking over the city we did not see anybody that we knew, and not a soul gave us a scrap of anything to eat, till we were passing the cemetery; but there some people called to us and put into our hands some chapatis and kulchas; so my companion called the city a cemetery, and the cemetery a city."
"This also is to be understood, father, if one thinks of the city as the place where everything is to be obtained, and of inhospitable people as worse than the dead. The city, though crowded with people, was as if dead, as far as you were concerned; while, in the cemetery, which is crowded with the dead, you were saluted by kind friends and provided with bread."
"True, true!" said the astonished farmer. "Then, just now, when we were crossing the stream, he waded through it without taking off his shoes and paijamas."
"I admire his wisdom," replied the girl. "I have often thought how stupid people were to venture into that swiftly flowing stream and over those sharp stones with bare feet. The slightest stumble and they would fall, and be wetted from head to foot. This friend of yours is a most wise man. I should like to see him and speak to him."
"Very well," said the farmer; "I will go and find him, and bring him in."
"Tell him, father, that our beams are strong enough, and then he will come in. I'll send on ahead a present to the man, to show him that we can afford to have him for our guest."
Accordingly she called a servant and sent him to the young man with a present of a basin of ghee, twelve chapatis, and a jar of milk, and the following message:—"O friend, the moon is full; twelve months make a year, and the sea is overflowing with water."
Half-way the bearer of this present and message met his little son, who, seeing what was in the basket, begged his father to give him some of the food. His father foolishly complied. Presently he saw the young man, and gave him the rest of the present and the message.
"Give your mistress my salam," he replied, "and tell her that the moon is new, and that I can only find eleven months in the year, and the sea is by no means full."
Not understanding the meaning of these words, the servant repeated them word for word, as he had heard them, to his mistress; and thus his theft was discovered, and he was severely punished. After a little while the young man appeared with the old farmer. Great attention was shown to him, and he was treated in every way as if he were the son of a great man, although his humble host knew nothing of his origin. At length he told them everything—about the laughing of the fish, his father's threatened execution, and his own banishment—and asked their advice as to what he should do.
"The laughing of the fish," said the girl, "which seems to have been the cause of all this trouble, indicates that there is a man in the palace who is plotting against the king's life."
"Joy, joy!" exclaimed the vizier's son. "There is yet time for me to return and save my father from an ignominious and unjust death, and the king from danger."
The following day he hastened back to his own country, taking with him the farmer's daughter. Immediately on arrival he ran to the palace and informed his father of what he had heard. The poor vizier, now almost dead from the expectation of death, was at once carried to the king, to whom he repeated the news that his son had just brought.
"Never!" said the king.
"But it must be so, Your Majesty," replied the vizier; "and in order to prove the truth of what I have heard, I pray you to call together all the maids in your palace, and order them to jump over a pit, which must be dug. We'll soon find out whether there is any man there."
The king had the pit dug, and commanded all the maids belonging to the palace to try to jump it. All of them tried, but only one succeeded. That one was found to be a man!!
Thus was the queen satisfied, and the faithful old vizier saved.
Afterwards, as soon as could be, the vizier's son married the old farmer's daughter; and a most happy marriage it was.
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom often lies in understanding the hidden meanings behind seemingly foolish words and actions.
Plot Summary
A queen is infuriated when a fish laughs at her question about its gender, leading the king to demand an explanation from his vizier under penalty of death. The vizier's son, sent away to escape the king's wrath, encounters an old farmer and speaks in riddles, which the farmer's wise daughter brilliantly deciphers. After the son reveals his family's plight, the daughter deduces that the fish's laughter signifies a man disguised as a woman plotting against the king. Returning to the palace, they expose the impostor through a clever test, saving the vizier and leading to the son's marriage to the wise daughter.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects common themes and social structures found in traditional Indian folklore, including kings, viziers, and the importance of wisdom and cleverness.
Plot Beats (12)
- A fisherwoman brings a fish to the queen, who asks its gender; the fish laughs aloud.
- The queen is enraged and tells the king, who disbelieves her but tasks his vizier to find an explanation within six months, on pain of death.
- The vizier fails to find an answer and sends his son away to avoid the king's anger.
- The vizier's son travels and meets an old farmer, speaking in riddles (e.g., 'give one another a lift', 'is this eaten or not', 'get two horses with a knife', 'large cemetery').
- The farmer, bewildered by the son's 'foolishness', invites him home to amuse his family.
- The farmer's clever daughter correctly interprets all the son's riddles, revealing his wisdom.
- The daughter sends a coded message (ghee, chapatis, milk, and a riddle about the moon, year, and sea) to the son, which he deciphers, exposing a servant's theft.
- The vizier's son explains his father's predicament to the farmer and his daughter.
- The daughter deduces that the fish's laughter signifies a man disguised as a woman within the palace, plotting against the king.
- The vizier's son returns to the palace with the farmer's daughter and informs his father and the king.
- The king orders all palace maids to jump over a pit; one fails, revealing a man disguised as a maid.
- The queen is satisfied, the vizier is saved, and his son marries the farmer's daughter.
Characters
The Queen
Of regal bearing, likely of average height with a slender to moderate build, reflecting a life of comfort within a palace. Her complexion would be fair, indicative of an indoor lifestyle.
Attire: Richly adorned in flowing silk garments, possibly a brightly colored caftan or a heavily embroidered tunic over loose trousers, with a matching veil or headpiece. Her attire would be of the finest fabrics and intricate designs, perhaps with gold thread or small jewels woven in.
Wants: To understand the inexplicable laughter of the fish and to prove her sanity and observation to her husband.
Flaw: Her quick temper and inability to let go of an insult or perceived slight, which drives much of the initial plot.
She begins as an annoyed and disbelieved queen but is ultimately satisfied by the resolution of the mystery, validating her initial observation.
Curious, easily angered, stubborn, and somewhat imperious. She is quick to take offense and holds strong convictions about what she has witnessed.
The King
A man of authority, likely of a strong, commanding build, perhaps with a distinguished beard. His height would be average to tall, and his complexion would be a healthy, slightly tanned tone from occasional outdoor activities.
Attire: Dressed in rich, flowing robes of fine silk or brocade, perhaps a thobe or a long tunic over loose trousers, with a wide sash. His head would be adorned with a jeweled turban. Colors would be deep and royal, such as crimson, sapphire, or emerald, possibly with gold embroidery.
Wants: To maintain order and his authority, to satisfy his queen, and to solve the mystery of the laughing fish, even if he initially doubts it.
Flaw: His initial skepticism and his harsh decree of death for failure, which puts his vizier in a terrible predicament.
He moves from skepticism to belief, ultimately accepting the strange truth and ensuring justice is served.
Skeptical, pragmatic, just (within his own framework), and firm in his decrees. He is concerned for his wife but also quick to dismiss what he perceives as irrational.
The Vizier
An elderly man, perhaps slightly stooped from years of service and worry, with a lean build. His complexion would be weathered, showing the marks of age and stress.
Attire: Dressed in dignified but less ostentatious robes than the King, perhaps a long, dark blue or green tunic over loose trousers, with a simple, well-made turban. His clothes would be of good quality but practical for his administrative duties.
Wants: To save his own life and fulfill the King's command, and later, to protect his son.
Flaw: His fear of the King's wrath and his inability to solve the mystery on his own, leading to despair.
He begins in despair, facing certain death, but is ultimately saved by his son's wisdom and the farmer's daughter's insight, restoring his position and peace of mind.
Loyal, diligent, intelligent, and deeply worried. He is dedicated to his king but also acutely aware of the dangers of failure.
The Vizier's Son
A young man of handsome features and a clever, observant demeanor. He would be of average height with a lean, agile build, reflecting his travels and quick wit. His complexion would be a healthy, slightly tanned tone.
Attire: Initially, practical traveling clothes: a simple tunic and trousers of sturdy linen or cotton, perhaps in earthy tones, with comfortable sandals or soft leather boots. Later, upon returning to the palace, he would wear more refined, but still modest, garments befitting a vizier's son.
Wants: To save his father from execution and to solve the mystery of the laughing fish.
Flaw: His initial lack of understanding of the world outside the palace, which he overcomes through his journey and interactions.
He transforms from a clever but somewhat naive young man into a wise and proven problem-solver, saving his father and finding a suitable wife.
Clever, observant, resourceful, patient, and determined. He possesses a sharp wit and the ability to think in riddles and metaphors.
The Old Farmer
A sturdy, weathered old man, with a strong build from years of working the land. His height would be average, and his skin deeply tanned and lined from exposure to the sun.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing: a loose cotton tunic (kurta) and wide trousers (paijamas) in natural, undyed colors or faded blues/browns, possibly a simple vest. His feet would be bare or in simple leather sandals.
Wants: To travel to a certain village, and later, to provide hospitality to a traveler, despite his confusion.
Flaw: His literal interpretation of language, which makes him misunderstand the Vizier's Son's riddles.
He begins as a bewildered and amused observer, but through his daughter's explanations, he gains a new appreciation for wisdom and understanding.
Kind, hospitable, hardworking, but initially slow to understand abstract concepts and riddles. He is easily amused and somewhat traditional in his thinking.
The Farmer's Daughter
A young woman of sharp intellect and modest beauty, likely of average height with a slender but capable build, reflecting her life in a farming household. Her complexion would be healthy, perhaps lightly tanned.
Attire: Simple, clean, and practical peasant attire: a long, modest dress or a tunic and trousers of sturdy cotton or linen, perhaps in earthy tones or a simple pattern. She might wear a headscarf. Her clothes, though humble, would be well-maintained.
Wants: To understand and help her father, and later, to assist the Vizier's Son in solving his predicament.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; her wisdom seems to be her defining trait.
She begins as a wise daughter who helps her father, then becomes the key to solving a royal mystery, ultimately marrying the Vizier's Son and securing a happy future.
Wise, perceptive, intelligent, resourceful, and kind. She possesses an extraordinary ability to interpret complex meanings and solve riddles.
The Fish
A very big fish, likely a freshwater species common to the region, such as a carp or a large catfish, with glistening scales. Its size is notable, making it stand out in the fisherwoman's basket.
Attire: None, as it is a fish.
Wants: To react to the Queen's question, possibly due to its hidden knowledge of the palace's secret.
Flaw: Being caught and in a basket, unable to escape.
Its single action triggers the entire narrative, but the fish itself does not change.
Mysterious, seemingly sentient, and capable of a surprising, rude reaction.
The Fisherwoman
A sturdy, hardworking woman, likely of average height and build, with a strong physique from her labor. Her skin would be tanned and weathered from being outdoors.
Attire: Simple, practical working clothes: a coarse linen tunic and trousers or a simple dress, possibly with an apron, in muted, durable colors. Her clothes would be functional and well-worn.
Wants: To sell her fish and continue her rounds.
Flaw: None apparent; she is a minor character serving a specific plot function.
She appears briefly to set the plot in motion and then exits the narrative, unchanged.
Practical, direct, and focused on her trade. She is unfazed by the Queen's questions and the fish's behavior, treating it as a minor inconvenience.
Locations
The Royal Palace Window
A window of the royal palace, likely ornate and overlooking a public thoroughfare or market area where a fisherwoman would pass. The queen appears here to interact with the outside world.
Mood: regal, curious, then quickly enraged
The queen sees the fish, asks its gender, and the fish laughs, setting off the main conflict.
Vizier's Son's Journey Path
A long, weary path under a hot sun, leading through diverse landscapes including a golden cornfield, a bustling village, a populated city, and a cemetery with a stream.
Mood: tiring, perplexing, observational
The vizier's son travels, encountering the old farmer and exchanging riddles, demonstrating his wisdom.
Old Farmer's House
A humble, sturdy house in a village, likely built of local materials, where the farmer lives with his wise daughter. It serves as a place of hospitality and intellectual exchange.
Mood: welcoming, domestic, intelligent, revealing
The farmer's daughter deciphers the vizier's son's riddles and sends her own, revealing her wisdom and the servant's theft.
Palace Courtyard with Pit
A central courtyard within the royal palace, temporarily transformed by a dug pit, where the king's maids are tested.
Mood: tense, expectant, revealing
The vizier's son's theory is proven true when a 'maid' is revealed to be a man by failing to jump the pit.