The Monkey and The Fisherman

Now then! Another story...Ah! Your guest calls this one 'The Monkey and The Fisherman.'

There was a time once when Mage Monkey was passing through an unknown region. Walking by a pond of some size, he noticed an old fisherman hunkered down on the bank. Making up his mind, good Monkey decided to test him some. With a shake of his body, he assumed the form of a wayfaring young man and called out.

"Ho!", he said, "Master Fisherman, there is a traveler here who seeks company. May I have yours?"

There was no answer, so good Monkey approached him from behind. "Excuse me, Master! It's not proper manners to ignore someone who calls."

"Neither is disturbing a man at work, and without even offering one's name", answered the man. "Let's begin with that. You scare away the fish with your hollering."

"It's true! Please forgive me! Your guest is called Sly, a traveling merchant. Could I perhaps stay here to rest some and enjoy your company for a time?"

"Do as you wish, but do it in silence. I am here to catch fish, not a conversation."

"Deal! Deal!"

And so they sat. They sat for an hour, two hours, three hours: sometimes the man would raise a fish out of the water and put it into his basket. Not a word passed between them: and in time, good Monkey saw that his company was a source of tension and discomfort for the man. Yet, the man said nothing, and held to his word. Although he was visibly tired and irritated, he said nothing. After five hours, he finally stood up, packed up his rod and picked up his basket: and he said:

"There. My work is done for the day, and our agreement is fulfilled: feel free to continue on your journey."

"Wait a moment!" said good Monkey. With a grin he pointed at the fisherman's basket and made it heavier.

"What is this? What did you do?"

"Look inside!"

And as he did, the fisherman saw that half of all the fish he had caught were resting on a bedding of pure gold: born of the other half, of course! The man looked up in disbelief, and so good Monkey said:

"Patience is a merit, courtesy a virtue. Remember this, Master Fisherman: keep the customs and perform good deeds, and you will have your reward."

With that, good Monkey at once shook his body and, taking the form of evening mist, disappeared away into the sky. Thus concludes the tale called The Monkey and The Fisherman!