Week 4 Story: The Deal Between Saint Gudwall and the Fish

Going to the Welsh coast is a fabulous idea for anyone wanting to see clear, blue water and soft, white sand. Just the view of the coast in general is magnificent! For the summer, of course. What about the winter, you ask? Now that's a different story...

Saint Gudwall and his dear friend Charles began their search for a new place to call home on the Welsh coast. It was a beautiful day, and they began their search.  After a whole day's worth of searching, they came across a large cave that was not too high and not too low. They had heard warnings of pirates in the area, but surely that was just a  farfetched possibility. It was easily accessible and had an incredible view. They moved all of their belongings in, and made their home as comfortable as possible. They enjoyed the rest of their summer in the new home.


School of fish
Source: Wikimedia Commons                    Then winter came.


And with that came terrible storms. They started out small, and the more time that went on, the worse the storms got. The waves were beginning to crash so high that water was entering their home. On the night of the most dangerous storm, the waves were entering their home completely! All of their furniture and belongings were drifting away and being destroyed. The men were barely staying alive in the churning waves, then all of a sudden, they were floating.

Giant fish had picked them up enough for them to breathe above the water. Saint Gudwall and Charles looked at each other with disbelief. What was going on and why were these fish helping them?

The next thing they knew, they were having a conversation with the fish in charge, who had an idea in mind. The fish wanted to help the men, but also wanted something in return. The fish would create gills for the men to live in peace in their new home, if the men would protect them from the pirates who give them trouble and pollute their water.

So the deal was made. Sir Gudwall and Charles could live peacefully in their home year-round, and the fish would be protected. The men and fish lived happily for the rest of their days off the Welsh coast.



Bibliography: The Deal Between Saint Gudwall and the Fish, from The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall by Abbie Farwell Brown
Author's Note: In the original story, the two stories begin the same as this. When the winter storms come, Saint Gudwall and his pupil evacuate their home. As they watch from afar, they notice something moving in their home. They soon find out that the fish are taking grains of sand and forming a barrier so that the water will not invade their home.
The first thing I did to change my story was giving Saint Gudwall's pupil a name, who I called Charles. It was easier to reference than just calling him his pupil. I also gave the fish a more magical role. As in they could talk, negotiate a deal, and even create the gills for the men. I also introduced the idea of pirates so that the fish and the men would each be getting something in return.