Seven Foolish Fishermen 七个愚蠢的渔夫 下

The seven foolish fishermen turned and ran back to the river to search for their lost friend. But, although they hunted up and down the river banks, they found no one. They met together on the bridge and they all began to weep and wail. "What shall we do? " they cried. "What shall we do? " They were all sure that one of their friends had been swept away and drowned in the river.

At that moment, young Robin came running along the road. He stopped beside the seven foolish fishermen on the bridge. "Why are you all weeping and wailing? "asked Robin. "Whatever is the matter? " "There were seven of us when we set out to fish this morning, "explained Ned. "But now there are only six. One of us has been drowned! " Robin looked carefully at the group on the bridge and smiled to himself. "I think you should count yourselves again, " he said.

"Show me why you are so sure that only six of you are standing here on the bridge." This time Sam did the counting as his friends stood in a row. Sam counted very carefully… … "One, two, three, four, five, six." He said. "There, you see." Said Tom. "We all get the same answer, Seven of us set out this morning, but only six of us have come back."

"Would you give me a couple of fish if I found your lost friend? "Asked Robin. The seven foolish fishermen answered together, "We would give you all our fish! " "Now, " said young Robin, "all get in a row, and stand still. When I point to you, you must help me count aloud. Are you ready? " Robin pointed to Tom first. "One, " called Tom. Robin pointed to Matt next. "Two, " called Matt. Robin went down the row, and everyone called out in turn.

"Three, " called Harry."Four, " called Jack."Five, " called Will."Six, " called Ned."Seven, " called Sam."Seven! " they all shouted. "Seven! " "Thanks, young Robin, " said Tom. "Robin has brains, " said Matt. "No one has been drowned! " called Harry. "Hooray! " shouted the seven foolish fishermen. "Here you are, Robin. Take our fish." And they tied all the fish together in a bundle for Robin to carry home. Then the seven foolish fishermen went home together, and as they went they sang,

"Seven man went to fish, went to fish a river. Seven men, six men, five men, four men, three men, two men, one man and his dog, went to fish a river! " Perhaps they are still singing and still learning how to count.