The Fish And The Ring: A Classic Children's Story For Bedtime & Anytime

Hello!

This time we have a classic fairy tale that comes from England.

It's called The Fish and the Ring.

Once upon a time there was a mighty baron in the North Country who was a great magician that knew everything that would come to pass.

So one day when his little boy was four years old he looked into the Book of Fate to see what would happen to him.

And to his dismay he found that his son would wed a lowly maid that had just been born in a house under the shadow of York Minster.

Now the baron knew the father of the little girl was very,

Very poor and he had five children already.

So he called for his horse and rode into York and passed by the father's house and saw him sitting by the door looking sad.

So he got off his horse and went up to him and said,

What is the matter my good man?

And the man said,

Well,

Your honor,

The fact is I've five children already and now a sixth come.

A little girl.

And where to get the bread from to fill their mouths?

That's more than I can say.

Don't be downhearted my man,

Said the baron.

If that's your trouble I can help you.

I'll take away the last little one and you won't have to bother about her.

Thank you kindly sir,

Said the man and he went in and brought out the girl and gave her to the baron who mounted his horse and rode away with her.

And when he got by the bank of the river Ouse,

He threw the little thing into the river and rode off to his castle.

But the little girl didn't sink.

Her clothes kept her up for a time and she floated.

She floated till she was cast ashore just in front of a fisherman's hut.

There the fisherman found her and took pity on the poor little thing and took her into his house.

And she lived there till she was 15 years old and a fine handsome girl.

One day it happened that the baron went out hunting with some companions along the banks of the river Ouse and stopped at the fisherman's hut to get a drink.

And the girl came out to give it to them.

They all noticed her beauty and one of them said to the baron,

You can read fates baron.

Whom will she marry do you think?

Oh that's easy to guess said the baron.

Some yokel poor fellow or other.

But I'll cast her horoscope.

Come here girl and tell me on what day were you born?

I don't know sir said the girl.

I was picked up just here after having been brought down by the river about 15 years ago.

Then the baron knew who she was and when they went away he rode back and said to the girl,

Hark you girl I will make your fortune.

Take this letter to my brother in Skarbrä and you will be settled for life.

And the girl took the letter and said she would go.

Now this is what he had written in the letter.

Dear brother take the bearer and put her to death immediately.

Yours affectionately Albert.

So soon after the girl set out for Skarbrä and slept for the night at a little inn.

Now that very night a band of robbers broke into the inn and searched the girl who had no money and only the letter.

So they opened it and read it and thought it a shame.

The captain of the robbers took a pen and paper and wrote this letter.

Dear brother take the bearer and marry her to my son immediately.

Yours affectionately Albert.

And then he gave it to the girl and bid her be gone.

So she went on to the baron's brother's castle with whom the baron's son was staying.

When she gave the letter to his brother the noble knight he gave orders for a wedding to be prepared at once and they were married that very day.

Soon after the baron himself came to his brother's castle and what was his surprise to find that the very thing he applauded against had come to pass.

But he was not to be put off that way and he took the girl out for a walk as he said along the cliffs.

And when he got her all alone he took her by the arms and was going to throw her over.

But she begged hard for her life.

I have not done anything she said.

If you will only spare me I will do whatever you wish.

I will never see you or your son again till you desire it.

Then the baron took off his gold ring and threw it into the sea saying never never let me see your face again till you can show me that ring.

And he let her go.

The poor girl wandered on and on till at last she came to a great noble's castle and she asked to have some work given to her and they made her the scullion girl of the castle for she had been used to working such things as that in the fisherman's hut.

Now one day who should she see coming up to the noble's house but the baron and his brother and his son her husband.

She didn't know what to do but thought they would not see her in the castle kitchen.

So she went back to her work with a sigh and set to cleaning a huge fish that was to be boiled for their dinner and as she was cleaning it she saw something shine inside it and what do you think she found?

Why there was the baron's ring the very one he had thrown over the cliff as Scarborough.

She was right glad to see it you may be sure.

Then she cooked the fish as nicely as she could and served it up.

Well when the fish came on the table the guests liked it so well that they asked the noble who cooked it.

He said he didn't know but called to his servants,

Oh there send up the cook that cooked that fine fish.

So they went down to the kitchen and told the girl she was wanted in the hall.

Then she washed and tidied herself and put the baron's gold ring on her thumb and went up into the hall.

When the banquet her saw such a young and beautiful cook they were surprised.

But the baron was in a tower of a temper and started up as if he would do her some violence.

So the girl went up to him with her hand before her with the ring on it and she put it down before him on the table.

Then at last the baron saw that no one could fight against fate and he handed her to a seat and denounced to all the company that this was his son's true wife.

And he took her and his son home to his castle and they all lived as happy as could be ever afterwards.

And that's the end of our story.

We'll be back again soon with another one.

Bye for now.