The fishes had long been discontented because there was no order in their kingdom. None would turn aside for another; they all swam right or left as they pleased, darted between those who wished to stay together, or got in each other's way. A strong fish might strike a weaker one with its tail, driving it away, or even swallow it without hesitation.
"How delightful it would be," they said, "if we had a king to enforce law and justice among us!" So they gathered to choose a ruler: the one who could cleave through the water the fastest and give help to the weak.
They lined up by the shore. The pike gave the signal with his tail, and they all started off. Like an arrow, the pike darted away, followed by the herring, the gudgeon, the perch, the carp, and all the rest. Even the sole swam along, hoping to reach the winning place.
Suddenly, a cry was heard: "The herring is first!"
"Who is first?" screamed the flat, envious sole, who had been left far behind. "Who is first?"
"The herring! The herring," came the answer.
"The naked herring?" cried the jealous creature. "The naked herring?"
Since that time, as a punishment, the sole's mouth has been twisted to one side.