The Fisher and the Little Fish

It happened that a Fisher, after fishing all day, caught only
a little fish.  "Pray, let me go, master," said the Fish.  "I am
much too small for your eating just now.  If you put me back into
the river I shall soon grow, then you can make a fine meal off
me."

  "Nay¹, nay, my little Fish," said the Fisher, "I have you now.
I may not catch you hereafter."


A little thing in hand is worth more than
a great thing in prospect².