THE HIGH-PRICED
GILTHEAD

Here is a fable about honesty and cunning. The point being chewed over refers to the gilthead, a fish folks call by three other names besides. Four names for the same fish, so just imag-ine the number of spanks...
A gentleman was about to celebrate his birthday, and there-fore he wanted to prepare a fitting feast for all of his friends. Among them was a friend who simply loved fish. Meat and game were already roasting in the kitchen. The table was already golden with the splendor of the sweetest fruits. Everything was on it, except for fish. The cook had gone to the fish market early that morning, but as misfortune would have it the fishermen did not make a single catch that day.
The gentleman was already desperate for being unable to satisfy his friend's desire and just then a young fisherman showed up in the doorway with a basket and a beautiful gilthead in it.
"Wow, what a lovely fish!" exclaimed the gentleman greatly pleased. "I'll pay any price you want for it. Let's hear: how much do you want for that fish?"
"Not a penny, Sir" the boy replied. "I don't want money from you. You will give me one hundred spanks for this fish. One hundred - not a spank less!"
Upon hearing what the boy was saying, the celebrant host and all his guests were taken by suprise: what normal person would ask to be spanked for a reward. So the gentleman offered him an even greater sum od money, but the boy refused to yield. He relentlessly requested his one hundred spanks.
Finally the gentleman said:
"This boy is without a doubt somewhat crack-brained, but, nevertheless, I must have that fish. So let him be whipped - right here, in front of all of you!"
When he was given the fiftieth spank, the boy cried out:
"Stop, that enough! I've got a partner in this deal. It would be fair to pay him his share as well."
"What?!" shouted the celebrant. "Is there yet another crea-ture in the world as crack-brained as you? Tell me, where is this partner of yours?"
"You need not go far to find him" replied the boy. "He's your doorman's son. He didn't want to let me in until I promised I'd give him half of what I'd get for the fish. "
"I see, I see!" said the celebrant. "Fetch that hero here so I can pay him his share."
Then they brought in the doorman's son and gave him the share he deserved.
After that the gentleman expelled him from the household and lushly rewarded the young fisherman.