` No , I got it , and I will keep it , ' answered the cat , who was tired and cross ; and they began a fine quarrel . But , unluckily , in the midst of it , the cat raised her voice , and the stone fell into the ear of a big fish which happened to be swimming by , and though both the cat and the falcon sprang into the water after it , they were too late . Half drowned , and more than half choked , the two faithful servants scrambled back to land again . The falcon flew to a tree and spread his wings in the sun to dry , but the cat , after giving herself a good shake , began to scratch up the sandy banks and to throw the bits into the stream . ` What are you doing that for ? ' asked a little fish . ` Do you know that you are making the water quite muddy ? ' ` That does n't matter at all to me , ' answered the cat . ' I am going to fill up all the river , so that the fishes may die . ' ` That is very unkind , as we have never done you any harm , ' replied the fish . ` Why are you so angry with us ? ' ` Because one of you has got a stone of mine -- a stone with strange signs upon it -- which dropped into the water . If you will promise to get it back for me , why , perhaps I will leave your river alone . ' ' I will certainly try , ' answered the fish in a great hurry ; ` but you must have a little patience , as it may not be an easy task . ' And in an instant his scales might be seen flashing quickly along . The fish swam as fast as he could to the sea , which was not far distant , and calling together all his relations who lived in the neighbourhood , he told them of the terrible danger which threatened the dwellers in the river . ` None of us has got it , ' said the fishes , shaking their heads ; ` but in the bay yonder there is a tunny who , although he is so old , always goes everywhere . He will be able to tell you about it , if anyone can . ' So the little fish swam off to the tunny , and again related his story . ` Why I was up that river only a few hours ago ! '
cried the XXXXX ; ` and as I was coming back something fell into my ear , and there it is still , for I went to sleep , when I got home and forgot all about it .
choked drowned ear fish harm patience scales story stream tunny