# Why the Fish Laughed explained — Indian Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

## What happens

A queen is offended when a fish laughs at her question about its gender. The king orders his vizier to explain the fish's laughter within six months or face death. The vizier despairs, but his clever son travels and meets an old farmer. Through a series of cryptic questions and answers, the farmer's wise daughter interprets the young man's riddles. She reveals that the fish's laughter indicates a man disguised as a woman in the palace plotting against the king. The vizier's son returns, exposes the plot, and marries the farmer's daughter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Wisdom

The vizier's son and the farmer's daughter use clever riddles and interpretation to solve the mystery and save the vizier.

### Justice and Karma

The plot against the king is uncovered, the traitor is exposed, and the innocent vizier is saved from unjust execution.

## Character check-ins

### The Wazir

The vizier is ordered by the king to explain the fish's laughter or face death; he despairs and prepares for execution.

### The Malee

The old farmer who travels with the vizier's son and is initially confused by his riddles.

## Key lines

> Is this eaten or not?

Is the owner of this field in debt?

_The vizier's son asks if the cornfield's produce is already claimed by creditors._

> Take this, friend, and get two horses with it; but mind and bring it back, for it is very precious.

Use this knife to cut two stout sticks to help us walk, and don't lose the knife.

_The young man means to cut walking sticks, not literally buy horses._

> What a large cemetery!

This city is inhospitable, like a place of the dead.

_The young man calls the city a cemetery because no one offered them food or shelter._

> What a splendid city this is!

This cemetery is full of generous people, like a lively city.

_He praises the cemetery because strangers there gave them food._

> The moon is full; twelve months make a year, and the sea is overflowing with water.

I am ready to welcome you; my household is prosperous and generous.

_The farmer's daughter sends a coded message indicating hospitality._

> The moon is new, and I can only find eleven months in the year, and the sea is by no means full.

Your servant stole some of the food you sent; your hospitality is not as abundant as you claim.

_The vizier's son replies that the gift was diminished by theft._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/why-the-fish-laughed
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters