Long ago there lived two brothers , both of them very handsome , and both so very poor that they seldom had anything to eat but the fish which they caught . One day they had been out in their boat since sunrise without a single bite , and were just thinking of putting up their lines and going home to bed when they felt a little feeble tug , and , drawing in hastily , they found a tiny fish at the end of the hook . ` What a wretched little creature ! ' cried one brother . ` However , it is better than nothing , and I will bake him with bread crumbs and have him for supper . ' ` Oh , do not kill me yet ! ' begged the fish ; ' I will bring you good luck -- indeed I will ! ' ` You silly thing ! ' said the young man ; ` I 've caught you , and I shall eat you . ' But his brother was sorry for the fish , and put in a word for him . ` Let the poor little fellow live . He would hardly make one bite , and , after all , how do we know we are not throwing away our luck ! Put him back into the sea . It will be much better . ' ` If you will let me live , ' said the fish , ` you will find on the sands to-morrow morning two beautiful horses splendidly saddled and bridled , and on them you can go through the world as knights seeking adventures . ' ` Oh dear , what nonsense ! ' exclaimed the elder ; ` and , besides , what proof have we that you are speaking the truth ? ' But again the younger brother interposed : ` Oh , do let him live ! You know if he is lying to us we can always catch him again . It is quite worth while trying . '
At last the young man gave XXXXX , and threw the fish back into the sea ; and both brothers went supperless to bed , and wondered what fortune the next day would bring .
If after ago as besides in into than through while