they placed themselves in rank and file by the shore, and the pike gave the signal with his tail, on which they all started. like an arrow, the pike darted away, and with him the herring, the gudgeon, the perch, the carp, and all the rest of them. even the sole swam with them, and hoped to reach the winning-place. all at once, the cry was heard, "the herring is first!" "who is first?" screamed angrily the flat envious sole, who had been left far behind, "who is first?" "the herring! the herring," was the answer. "the naked herring?" cried the jealous creature, "the naked herring?" since that time the sole’s mouth has been at one side for a punishment.