Singapore Children's Favorite Stories. Diane Taylor

and chopped and chomped and chewed.

      Some fishermen were standing on the rocks, hoping for a catch. Just one of these huge swordfish would feed a whole family for a week. But they were not so lucky. The fierce fish swept in so quickly, that soon not one fisherman was left. They were all knocked into the water, or eaten, or both.

      Some villagers nearby saw what was happening and were terrified. One or two went near to the water to take a closer look and—quick as a flash—were also seized by the swordfish. No-one else dared go near after that. The shaken villagers didn't know what to do next.

      "Aeeiiyah!" one cried. "It's a curse!"

      "The Gods of the Sea are angry with us," cried another.

      "It's the Raja's enemies," said yet another.

      "I'll go straight to the Raja and tell him," said a quick-thinking man, whose name was Ong. "He'll know what to do."

      And off he ran to the Raja's palace, which was about a half an hour away for a fast runner.