The Sole
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Adapted Version
Long ago, the fish were not happy. They lived in a big, blue sea. But nobody was nice. The big fish pushed the little fish. The big fish took all the food. "Go away!" the big fish said. The little fish were sad. They had no food. It was not fair.
One day, a little fish spoke. "We need a king!" Fish said yes. "A good king helps us," they said. "But who?" asked a fish. "We have a race!" said Pike. Pike had a big, loud voice. "The fastest fish is king!"
Many fish came to the race. Pike stood at the front. Herring was there too. Herring was small and fast. Sole was there too. Sole was flat and slow. But Sole wanted to be king.
"Ready!" said Pike in a big voice. "Go!" All the fish swam fast. Splash! Splash! Splash! They zoomed through the water. Fins moved fast. Tails pushed hard. The race was on!
Herring swam so fast. Herring was the fastest of all. Herring got to the end first. "Herring won! Herring won!" the fish said. They were so happy. They had a new king now.
But Sole was far behind. Sole was very far behind. Sole swam and swam. But Sole was too slow. Sole was a flat fish. Flat fish are not fast. Sole got to the end last. "Who won?" Sole asked. Sole frowned. Sole was angry. Sole was very angry. Sole was not happy at all.
"Herring won," the fish said. "Herring is king!" Sole looked at him. Sole was jealous. "That silly little fish?" Sole said. "Herring is no king!" Sole was mean. "Not my king!" Sole said mean words. All the other fish were quiet. They were sad for Herring.
Then something happened. Sole's mouth began to move. It twisted to one side. Sole tried to talk. But the words came out funny. Sole's mouth stayed twisted. It did not go back. The mean words hurt Sole's mouth.
That is why Sole has a funny mouth. It is on one side of its face. All because of mean words. So be kind with your words.
Original Story
The sole
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
The fishes had for a long time been discontented because no order prevailed in their kingdom. None of them turned aside for the others, but all swam to the right or the left as they fancied, or darted between those who wanted to stay together, or got into their way; and a strong one gave a weak one a blow with its tail, which drove it away, or else swallowed it up without more ado. "How delightful it would be," said they, "if we had a king who enforced law and justice among us!" and they met together to choose for their ruler, the one who could cleave through the water most quickly, and give help to the weak ones.
They placed themselves in rank and file by the shore, and the pike gave the signal with his tail, on which they all started. Like an arrow, the pike darted away, and with him the herring, the gudgeon, the perch, the carp, and all the rest of them. Even the sole swam with them, and hoped to reach the winning-place. All at once, the cry was heard, "The herring is first!" - "Who is first?" screamed angrily the flat envious sole, who had been left far behind, "who is first?" - "The herring! The herring," was the answer. "The naked herring?" cried the jealous creature, "the naked herring?" Since that time the sole's mouth has been at one side for a punishment.
- * * * *
Story DNA
Moral
Envy and malicious words can lead to lasting, unpleasant consequences.
Plot Summary
The fish kingdom is in disarray, prompting the fish to decide on a race to choose a king who can establish order and justice. During the race, the herring wins, but the sole, far behind and consumed by envy, maliciously questions the victory and insults the herring. As a direct consequence of its spiteful words, the sole's mouth is permanently twisted to one side.
Themes
Emotional Arc
disorder to hope to envy to punishment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The Brothers Grimm collected and published folk tales, often with clear morals and explanations for natural phenomena or animal characteristics.
Plot Beats (8)
- Fish in their kingdom are discontented due to a lack of order and justice, with stronger fish harming weaker ones.
- They decide to elect a king who can bring law and justice, choosing the fastest swimmer.
- All the fish, including the pike, herring, gudgeon, perch, carp, and sole, gather for the race.
- The pike signals the start, and all fish dart away.
- The herring is declared the winner of the race.
- The sole, having been left far behind, angrily and enviously questions who won.
- Upon hearing it was the herring, the sole maliciously calls it 'the naked herring'.
- As a punishment for its envy and malicious words, the sole's mouth is twisted to one side.
Characters
The Sole ⚔ antagonist
A flat fish, initially with a normal mouth, but after its punishment, its mouth is permanently on one side of its head.
Envious, angry, jealous, slow-witted (in terms of speed)
Image Prompt & Upload
A sinister older man with a gaunt face, sharp cheekbones, and a thin, cruel smile. He has piercing pale eyes and slicked-back silver hair. He wears an elegant high-collared black velvet robe with intricate gold embroidery, a heavy signet ring on his finger. He stands tall with an authoritative posture, one hand resting on the pommel of an ornate cane, the other gesturing slightly as if giving a command. The lighting is dramatic, casting deep shadows. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Herring ◆ supporting
A fish known for its speed, described as 'naked' by the Sole, implying a lack of distinguishing features or perhaps scales compared to other fish.
Fast, competitive, successful
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, friendly fish-like creature with silvery-blue scales and large, curious eyes. He wears a tiny woven reed vest and a leaf cap tilted jauntily on his head. His posture is upright and welcoming, with one fin-like hand extended as if offering guidance. He stands on a mossy riverbank stone, his tail fin curled neatly beneath him. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Pike ○ minor
A fish capable of giving a signal with its tail, implying a strong, authoritative presence.
Authoritative, competitive
Image Prompt & Upload
A young humanoid figure with faint silvery scales along the jawline and forearms, and large, luminous amber eyes. They have slicked-back, wet-looking dark hair. Dressed in a simple, faded blue tunic and rough-spun trousers, both damp and clinging slightly. Their posture is slightly hunched, shoulders forward, with a curious but wary expression. One hand is held out, palm up, as if offering or testing the air. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Fishes' Kingdom
An underwater realm where fish swim freely, often chaotically, with no order or justice.
Mood: Chaotic, discontented, yearning for order.
The fish express their discontent and decide to choose a king.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast underwater realm with dim, twilight blue-green light filtering from the distant surface, illuminating swirling currents and chaotic clusters of vibrant coral in disarray. Sunken stone arches and crumbling columns lie half-buried in sand, overgrown with tangled seaweed and anemones. Chaotic schools of silvery fish dart through the murky water, their movements creating swirling patterns in the particulate-filled water shafts. Rocky outcrops are covered in uneven, colorful sponges and barnacles, with scattered shells and debris drifting in the gentle, unpredictable currents. The atmosphere is murky yet alive, with beams of light cutting through the water at odd angles, casting shifting shadows on the uneven seafloor. Colors range from deep indigo to turquoise, with flashes of orange and pink from the coral and sea life, all blending in a beautiful, untamed harmony. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
The Starting Line by the Shore
A designated area within the water, close to the shore, where the fish line up in rank and file for the race.
Mood: Anticipatory, competitive.
The fish gather for the race to decide their king.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dawn, a calm, shallow cove with crystal-clear turquoise water gently laps against a pale pink sand beach. A straight, luminous line of soft blue light glows beneath the surface, stretching from the shore into the deeper water, marking the starting lane. The sandy bottom is smooth and rippled, with scattered, iridescent seashells. Delicate morning mist hovers above the water, catching the first golden rays of sunrise, which paint the sky in soft lavender and peach hues. In the distance, gentle waves break against mossy rocks. The entire scene is serene, magical, and expectant, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
The Race Course
The open water through which the fish dart like arrows, a path from the starting line to the winning-place.
Mood: Fast-paced, competitive, dynamic.
The fish race to determine who will be king, and the herring wins.
Image Prompt & Upload
A crystal-clear river channel at dawn, the water glowing with soft golden light filtering through morning mist. Darting silver and sapphire fish leave shimmering trails like living arrows, racing along a defined path marked by smooth, mossy stones. The riverbanks are lush with emerald reeds and weeping willows whose tips just kiss the water's surface. In the distance, a graceful stone archway marks the starting line, and a circle of luminous, floating lilies designates the finish. Sunbeams pierce the canopy, creating dappled light on the water and illuminating tiny, sparkling particles drifting in the air. The atmosphere is serene yet charged with quiet, magical energy. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
