| A poor peasant saves the life of a tiny fish and is given a magic shell that allows him to talk with the birds and the animals. He uses his wonderful gift to heal the mysterious illness that afflicts the nobleman's beloved daughter. |
The woman called again. "You there! Please wait! I am a messenger from the king of Neriya. You have saved the life of his only daughter, and I have come to take you beneath the waves to his kingdom in the sea."
"I cannot go," Hoderi said in his true and honest way, "for I am unable to swim."
The woman smiled. "You do not need to swim," she said. "Come to the edge of the water with me. I am really a fish and I will take you safely to the kingdom of Neriya."
And so Hoderi walked to the edge of the sea, where the woman turned into a huge carp. Without another word, he climbed onto her back, and together they began their descent beneath the waves.
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