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by Ashley Sterne (1935)
Sam catches a sturgeon in the Manchester Ship Canal (an unlikely occurrence) and is told by a polieman to take it to its rightful owner, the king. This is because since the 13th century, the sturgeon has been designated as a 'royal fish' by an act of King Edward II.
(In fact in 2004, a fisherman did catch a sturgeon in Swansea Bay and was investigated by the police for attempting to sell it; not because he failed to take it to the Queen, but because it is a protected species. Ref: BBC news item)
Sam, however, does take his catch to the palace and when he arrives, he learns that neither the king nor queen are very fond of sturgeon and prefer herring. They implore Sam not to tell anyone, and yet here it is, on the internet, and being read by you!
The late Queen Elizabeth II once asked about the times when she travelled to exotic countries and presented with food that disagreed with her taste. She replied that if a host enquired whether she liked the local delicacies, she didn't want to lie by saying it was delicious, yet she didn't want to offend the host by speaking the truth. She simply says, "What did I think of the meal? It was rather interesting."
A simple bit of diplomacy well worth remembering.
Tree Sturgeon Kippers for tree The ones that got away |
Sam knocked at door and servant girl said, And so with Sturgeon in his arms "Come in," says King, "That's me," said Sam, "and 'ere's a fish "Well, well," said King, "come sit thee down, "Thanks, King," said Sam and takes a seat "Now what about this fish?" asks Sam, "l hate to show ingratitude "To eat the stuff we hate so much "Just thee look out that window, Sam, "It's champion seeing thee again, "Now fancy that," says Sam, "by gum, "Do you know Sam Small, my dear?" says King. "Think on," says King when tea were done So Sam went home to Lancashire |
King`s Cross railway station is the London portal for the North of England.