human
Oh, Merla! what do you think? Our Flippity has just gone to glory!
gpt
When?
human
Just now, one replied.
gpt
We were lying in the water, talking quietly together when a spinning, shining thing came along and our dear Flippity ate it. Then he went shooting up to the top of the water and gave a flop and--went to glory! Isn't it splendid, Merla?
human
Poor Flippity! sighed the mermaid.
gpt
I'm sorry, for he was the prettiest and nicest mackerel in your whole flock.
human
What does it mean? asked Trot.
gpt
How did Flippity go to glory?
human
Why, he was caught by a hook, and pulled out of the water into some boat, Merla explained.
gpt
But these poor, stupid creatures do not understand that; and when one of them is jerked out of the water and disappears they have an idea he has gone to glory--which means to them some unknown, but beautiful sea.
human
I've often wondered, said Trot,
gpt
They must know enough to know they're hooks,
human
Oh, they do, replied Merla.
gpt
I've seen fishes gather around a hook and look at it carefully for a long time. They well know it is a hook, and that if they bite the bait upon it they will be pulled out of the water. But they are curious to know what will happen to them afterward, and think it means happiness, instead of death. So finally, one takes the hook and disappears, and the others never know what becomes of him.
human
Why don't you tell 'em the truth?
gpt
Oh, we do. The mermaids have warned them many times, but it does no good at all. The fish are stupid creatures.
human
But I wish I was Flippity, said one of the mackerel, staring at Trot with his big, round eyes.
gpt
He went to glory before I could eat the hook myself.
human
You're lucky, answered the child.
gpt
Flippity will be fried in a pan for some one's dinner. You wouldn't like that, would you?
human
Flippity has gone to glory!
gpt
I never heard of anything so foolish,
human
Yes; it is very foolish, and very sad, answered Merla.
gpt
But, if the fishes were wise, men could not catch them for food, and many poor people on your earth make their living by fishing.
human
It seems wicked to catch such pretty things,
gpt
I do not think so, Merla replied, laughingly;