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The Fisherman and His Nets

[These versions are not exactly the same fable, but are similar enough to be included on the same page.]

Townsend version

A fisherman, engaged in his calling, made a very successful cast and captured a great haul of fish. He managed by a skillful handling of his net to retain all the large fish and to draw them to the shore; but he could not prevent the smaller fish from falling back through the meshes of the net into the sea.

L'Estrange version (Fishermen Disappointed)

Some fishermen that had been out a whole day with a drag-net, and caught nothing, had a draught toward the evening, that came home very heavy, which put 'em in hope of a sturgeon at least, but upon bringing the net ashore, it prov'd to be only one great stone, and a few little fishes. Upon this disappointment they were down in the mouth again; but says one of the company that was a little graver then the rest, you are to consider, my masters, that joy and sorrow are two sisters that follow one another by turns.

Moral

All our purchases in this world are but the catching of a Tartar, as we say, but it is some comfort yet to consider, that when things are at the worst they'l mend.

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