Why the Fish Laughed
A fisherwoman encounters a queen who inquires about a fish she wishes to buy. When the fish laughs, the queen becomes enraged, prompting the king to demand an explanation from his vizier within six months, threatening death for failure. The vizier, unable to find an answer, advises his son to travel to escape the king's wrath. The young man meets an old farmer on his journey. Their conversation reveals the young man's cleverness, though the farmer initially perceives him as foolish. The young man makes various observations that the farmer misinterprets, leading to humorous exchanges. The farmer's daughter, however, recognizes the young man's wisdom and encourages her father to invite him to stay. The farmer sends a present to the young man, but a servant's theft complicates matters. When the young man arrives at the farmer's home, he shares his predicament regarding the fish's laughter and the vizier's impending execution. The farmer's daughter deduces that the laughter signifies a plot against the king's life. Determined to save his father and the king, the young man returns to the palace with the farmer's daughter. He informs his father of the potential danger, leading the vizier to propose a test to uncover the traitor. The king orders all palace maids to jump over a pit, revealing one disguised as a man. The vizier is saved, and the young man marries the farmer's daughter, culminating in a joyful union. The story highlights themes of wisdom, perception, and the consequences of misunderstanding, ultimately leading to justice and happiness.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1890 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore · 2,428 words
First lines
As a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish, the queen appeared at one of the windows and beckoned her to come near and show what she had. At that moment a very big fish jumped about in the bottom of the basket.
"Is it a he or a she? " inquired the queen. "I wish to purchase a she fish."
What this Textopian page supports
Why the Fish Laughed is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Jacobs, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joseph Jacobs
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fable, Folklore, Adventure, Comedy
- Length: 2,428 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Why the Fish Laughed by Joseph Jacobs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Why the Fish Laughed?
- How does this short story by Joseph Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
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- Mr Woodchuck by L. Frank Baum
- How The Whale Got His Throat by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, anthropomorphism, and moral lessons typical of fairy tales.
- Fable — The narrative conveys moral lessons through the actions and characteristics of its characters, particularly the cleverness of the young man.
- Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and oral storytelling practices common in folklore.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey that involves challenges and encounters with various characters.
Tags
Folklore · Children's Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Cultural Critique · Animal Story · Fable · Moral Lesson · Teaching Tool · Storytelling · Literary Device