The fish that saved the world

One good morning a wise sage Madhu was praying god in the river after a bath. A small fish swam up and told, ``O wise sage, save me from the big creatures in the river.’’ The sage put the fish into his small jug and took it home. Later, he looked into the jug and saw that the fish had grown big! It said, ``wise sage, Give me a bigger home, it is very short to me’’

So Madhu let it into a big pond. By evening, the fish was as big as big as the lake!

Madhu took the fish back to the river and said, ``you are not an ordinary fish. Who are you?’’ asked.

The fish said, ``I am the protector of the world! I have come to save life on earth from a great flood. But to do this, I need your help!’’

``How can I help you?’’ said the sage, surprised. The fish told, ``Soon, there will be a terrible storm. The whole world will be flooded. That time is very near. You must gather the seeds of all kinds of plants, and two of every kind of animal and bird. I shall bring a big boat and take you all to safety.’’ The fish swam away.

A few days later, it began raining heavily. The sage quickly collected the seeds of all the plants. He also gathered two of every kind of animal and bird. Soon the fish arrived.

Now it had a golden horn on its head. Around the horn was coiled a great snake. The other end of this snake was tied to a big boat. The fish was pulling this boat with the help of its horn and the snake. Madhu got into the boat with the seeds, and the animals followed.

The fish swam strongly, pulling the boat behind it. After a long and hard journey, they reached a high land. The rain stopped and the boat. ``Make forests and towns, build houses, grow plants and live happily. May mother earth become full of life again!’’ said the fish.

Sage Madhu and the creatures thanked the fish.