The Fool Who Fished for a King
Alaric the fool visits Lake Heavensdrop in the dead of winter in hopes of winning the king’s reward for capturing the magical fish that live in it. Instead he finds that the fish are actually the king and his son and daughter, imprisoned in the lake by an evil witch-king in disguise who has taken control of the kingdom. The royal family tells Alaric of a protective magic sword that prevents anyone from murdering for the throne. By offering a reward for the fish, the witch-king will keep his hands free of their blood. The beautiful princess Elsiminy hatches a risky plan to foil the evil king, and Alaric takes his leave, telling no one of his adventure. He returns in the spring with Flint, the best fisherman in their village, who will unknowingly help Alaric carry out his plan.
EARLY THE NEXT morning, Alaric awoke to Flint’s whooping cheer. He sprang from his bedroll to see the fisherman holding a wondrous fish that flashed like a rainbow. Alaric rushed to Flint’s side. The fish’s eyes were wide and wise, and two long whiskers trailed from its chin. This must be the king, Alaric thought to himself.
Flint slipped the fish carefully onto a stringer and let it lie in the shallow water. The end of the stringer he anchored to a stake. Patiently, the fish watched them with its jewel-blue eyes. Alaric kept it company while Flint returned
