The Pelican's Pouch

The fish woke up early in the morning and saw overhead several tiny fish chattering. When they saw that the black fish was awake, they said in one voice,
"Good morning!"
The black fish recognized them right away and said, "Good morning! You followed me after all!"
"Yes," answered one of the tiny fish, "but we're still afraid."
"The thought of the pelican just won't go away," said another.
"You worry too much," said the black fish. "One shouldn't worry all the time. Let's start out and our fears will vanish completely."

But as they were about to set out, they felt the water all around them rise up and a lid was placed over them. It was dark everywhere and there was no way to escape. The black fish immediately realized that they had been caught in the pelican's pouch.
"My friends," said the little black fish, "we've been caught in the pelican's pouch, but there's a chance to escape."

All the tiny fish began to cry. On of them said, "There's no way to escape! It's your fault since you influenced us and led us astray."
"Now he's going to swallow us all, and then we'll die," said another.
Suddenly the sound of frightening laughter twisted through the water. It was the pelican. He kept on laughing and said, "What tiny fish I've caught! Ha. Ha. Truly, my heart bleeds for you. I don't want to swallow you! Ha, Ha . . ."
The tiny fish began pleading, "Your Excellency, Mr. Pelican! We've been hearing about you for a long time. If you'd be so kind as to open your distinguished beak a little so that we might go out, we'll always be grateful to you."
"I don't want to swallow you right now," said the pelican. "I've some fish stored. Look below."
Several large and tiny fish were scattered on the bottom of the pouch.
"Your Excellency, Mr. Pelican!" cried the tiny fish, "we haven't done anything. We're innocent. This little black fish led us astray . . ."

"Cowards!" exclaimed the little black fish, "are you crying like this because you think this dishonest bird is merciful?"
"You don't know what you're saying," said the tiny fish. "Just wait and see . . . His Excellency, Mr. Pelican, will pardon us and swallow you!"
"Of course I'll pardon you," said the pelican. "But on one condition."
"Your condition, please, sir!" begged the tiny fish.
"Strangle that meddlesome fish, and then you'll get your freedom."

The little black fish moved aside and said to the tiny fish,
"Don't agree! This deceitful bird wants to turn us against each other. I have a plan . . ."
But the tiny fish were so intent on saving themselves that they couldn't think of anything else. They advanced towards the little black fish who was sitting near the back of the pouch and talking slowly.
"Cowards! Whatever happens, you've been caught and don't have a way to escape. And you're not strong enough to hurt me."
"We must strangle you," said the tiny fish.
"We want freedom!"
"You've lost your senses," said the black fish. "Even if you strangle me, you won't escape. Don't fall for his tricks . . ."
"You're talking like this just to save yourself," said the tiny fish. "Otherwise you wouldn't think of us at all."
"Just listen," said the black fish, "and I'll explain. I'll pretend I'm dead. Then, we'll see whether or not the pelican will free you. If you don't agree to this, I'll kill all of you with this dagger or rip open the pouch and escape while you . . ."
"Enough!" interrupted one of the fish. "I can't stand this talk. Oh, wee . . .oh, wee . . .oh wee . . .">
"Why did you ever bring along this crybaby?" demanded the black fish upon seeing him cry. Then the fish took out the dagger and held it in front of the tiny fish. Helpless, they agreed to the little fish's suggestion. They pretended to be fighting together. The black fish pretended to be dead. The others went forward and said, "Your Excellency, Mr. Pelican, we strangled the meddlesome black fish . . ." "Good work!" laughed the pelican. "Now, as a reward, I'm going to swallow all of you alive so that you can have a nice stroll in my stomach!"

The tiny fish never had a chance. Quick as lightening they passed through the pelican's throat and were gone. But, at that very instant, the black fish drew the dagger, split open the wall of the pouch with one blow and fled. The pelican cried out in pain and smashed his head on the water but he couldn't follow after the little fish.