Fisherman and talking flounder

Timid fisherman and magical flounder talking to each other

The Dorchester section of the Boston HarborWalk—a paved walkway along the Dorchester Bay shoreline—features interpretive signage with interesting narratives. One such artfully designed granite post at the water's edge makes a reference to the German fairy tale known as “The Fisherman and His Wife.” The post depicts the fisherman in his boat and the magical flounder wave-riding next to the boat. The fish story, collected by the Brothers Grimm in the early 19th century, is summarized as follows:

This is a Grimms' fairy tale of a talking flounder, a timid fisherman, and a greedy wife.

The fisherman catches and kindly releases the fish.

The gratitude of the magical flounder is sorely tested by the large and numerous favors the reluctant fisherman requests on his wife's behalf.

Ultimately, the wife's avarice takes a wicked toll on both the fisherman and his wife.

Obviously, this is more than a fish story. It is a moral story about selfishness.

A magic flounder tale memorized on Boston's HarborWalk in Dorchester

Timid fisherman and magical flounder talking to each other