Long, long ago, in Australia, it is said, fishes could travel as easily
on land as they could swim in water.
It happened, so the story goes, that the whole fish tribe had been
playing tag along a sandy beach near the sea. At last they became tired
of the game, Fin-fin, the leader of the fishes, said, "Let us coast down
the great, black rock."
Now beyond the level shore where the fishes had been playing tag, there
were cliffs and rocks. Some of the rocks rose straight out of the water,
others sloped toward the sandy beach.
High above the rest towered the great, black rock. The fishes climbed to
the top Then, one after another, they followed the leader, each gliding
head foremost down the rock. It was fine sport!
Then the fishes formed a circle and danced, while Fin-fin slid down the
rock alone.
Again and again he climbed to the top and slid down, as swiftly as an
arrow glides from the bow. Finally he turned a somersault at the foot of
the rock, and then called to the fishes to stop dancing.
"It is time to cook dinner," said Fin-fin.
"There is a good place for a camp under the trees on the tall cliff
yonder."
The fishes climbed to the top of the cliff overhanging the sea. They
gathered wood and heaped it high at the edge of the cliff.
When all was ready for the bonfire, Fin-fin rubbed two sticks briskly
together. Soon a spark fell upon the wood, and instantly the flames
leaped upward. Then the fishes put some roots in front of the fire to
roast.
While the roots were cooking, the fishes stretched themselves under the
trees. They had almost fallen asleep, when suddenly great drops of rain
came splashing down.
A dark cloud, which they had not noticed, had covered the sun.
The rain fell hard and fast and soon put out the fire.
Now, you know, this was very serious, for people in those days had no
matches, and it was difficult to light a fire. Then, too, an icy wind
began to blow, and the fishes were soon shivering in the cold.
"We shall freeze to death unless we can build a fire again," cried
Fin-fin.
He tried to kindle a flame by rubbing two sticks together. He could not
produce even one spark.
"It is of no use," said Fin-fin. "The wood is too wet. We shall have to
wait for the sun to shine again."
A tiny fish came forward and bowed before Fin-fin, saying, "Ask my
father, Flying-fish, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic, and he
can do more than most fishes."
So Fin-fin asked Flying-fish to light the fire once more.
Flying-fish knelt before the smoldering ashes and fanned briskly with
his fins.
A tiny thread of smoke curled upward, and a feeble red glow could be
seen in the ashes.
When the tribe of fishes saw this, they crowded close around
Flying-fish, keeping their backs toward the cold wind. He told them to
go to the other side, because he wanted to fan the fire.
By and by the spark grew into a flame, and the bonfire burned brightly.
"Bring more wood," cried Flying-fish.
The fishes gathered wood and piled it upon the fire. The red flames
roared, and sputtered, and crackled.
"We shall soon be warm now," said Fin-fin.
Then the fishes crowded around the fire, closer and closer. Suddenly a
blast of wind swept across the cliff from the direction of the land, and
blew the fire toward the fishes.
They sprang back, forgetting that they were on the edge of the cliff.
And down, down, down, went the whole fish tribe to the bottom of the
sea.
The water felt warm, for the strong wind had driven the fire down below,
too.
There, indeed, was the bonfire at the bottom of the sea, burning as
brightly as ever.
More wonderful still, the fire never went out, as fires do on land. The
water at the bottom of the sea has been warm ever since that day.
That is why, on frosty days, the fishes disappear from the surface of
the water. They dive to the bottom of the sea, where they can keep warm
and comfortable, around the magic bonfire.