“I’m still hungry.”
“We haven’t had any food since the last time you said that.” Náhte poked a stick into the water, looking glum.
“But I’m still hungry.” Butan trailed a hand in the water, half asleep on their raft. It had been two days since they’d fled from the village, and still no food.
“We still haven’t had any food since the last time you said that. And we’re likely to starve at this rate.”
“Probably. But at least the fish get to eat.”
“I feel really happy for the fish. Really happy.” Náhte slumped. “We should be eating them, but we’re the two worst fishermen in the world.”
“The worst fisherman in the world starved to death.”
“That just means we’re next in line.”
The pessimism continued for much of the day, until they began looking for a place to moor for the night. Then it got worse.
“So, do you think animals will come eat us as we sleep?”
“Only if we’re lucky.” Náhte paused. “How about we tie up in that copse of trees?”
“Then the birds can crap on us as we sleep.” Butan was shaking his head.
“Butan, birds sleep at night.”
“So it’s bird nightsoil. Not much of a difference from down here.”
“You…” Náhte shook his head. “Why do I put up with you again?”
“Because you… OW!”
Náhte spun round to find Butan clutching his hand at the wrist. Two fish were hanging from his fingers, and doing their best to bite them off. Náhte thought it was sort of like watching a baby at the teat.
“Hah! We eat tonight!”
“They’re trying to munch my fingers off!”
“Oh, stop complaining and hand me your knife.”
“My knife? You aren’t cutting my fingers off to get at the fish!”
“No, I’m not cutting your fingers off. I’m just going to kill the fish. Okay?”
“Oh, in that case.” Butan handed over his knife. A few quick stabs later and Butan had his fingers back, although they were a bit red where the fish had been sucking furiously.
That night they cooked the fish over a fire, savouring the taste.
“These are the most delicious fish I’ve ever eaten. And I know how to get more.”
Butan looked up from licking the bones clean. “And how’s that, Náhte?”
“You trail both hands in the water.”
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