An ancient
Irish Legend.
Long ago there was a famous
salmon. Its skin shone like
silver. The fish was called the
Salmon of Knowledge.
An
ancient poet Finnegas said that the first person to taste it would
see into the future.
Many people came to the River
Boyne (Co.
Meath) hoping that they would catch the
salmon but all of them failed. One by one they would return to their homes sadly.
The old
poet lived in a hut by the
river bank. Each day he fished for the
salmon of knowledge. He hoped he would be the first to taste it and to have the
great powers.
One day a fair haired boy came running towards him. "Who are you?" asked
Finnegas, "why are you running?".
My name is
Fionn Mac Cool said the boy. "
My father has been killed in battle, now his enemies want to kill me too".
"Do not be afraid", said
Finnegas kindly. "Stay with me and I will look after you".
Fionn lived happily with
Finnegas, by day he cleaned the hut and cooked the meals at night. He loved to listen to the
old man telling wonderful stories.
One day
Finnegas went out
fishing as usual. After a short time he came rushing to the door of the hut. In his hands he carried
a huge fish. "I have caught the
Salmon of Knowledge," he cried happily.
"Now I will have great
knowledge". Quickly
Fionn lit a fire and soon the
salmon was cooking. "Look after the fish, while I get some more firewood," ordered
Finnegas, "but you are not to taste it", he warned
Fionn.
Fionn sat watching the
salmon cooking over the fire. He remembered the story of its
wonderful powers.
He turned the
fish over then he noticed a
blister on the
fish's skin rising slowly so he pressed it and he
burnt his
thumb. Without thinking, he put the
thumb in his
mouth.
Fionn had tasted the
salmon of the knowledge. When
Finnegas came back, he knew that
Fionn had the power of the
salmon, and he was
very sad. "You will now be able to
see into the future, you must now go and become leader of the
Fianna," said
Finnegas to
Fionn.
And off he went to become
Ireland's greatest
legend.
Adapted from interpretation by
Amy Killeney 3rd Class,
Scoil Mhuire,
Dublin,
Ireland.