Die Forelle
In einem Bächlein helle, Da schoss in froher Eil’ Die launische Forelle Vorueber wie ein Pfeil. Ich stand an dem Gestade Und sah in süsser Ruh’ Des muntern Fishleins Bade Im klaren Bächlein zu.
Ein Fischer mit der Rute Wohl an dem Ufer stand, Und sah’s mit kaltem Blute Wie sich das Fischlein wand. So lang dem Wasser helle So dacht’ ich, nicht gebricht, So fängt er die Forelle Mit seiner Angel nicht.
Doch endlich ward dem Diebe Die Zeit zu lang. Er macht das Bächlein tückisch trübe, Und eh’ ich es gedacht So zuckte seine Rute Das Fischlein zappelt dran, Und ich mit regem Blute Sah die Betrog’ne an.
Die ihr am goldnen Quelle Der sichern Jugend weilt, Denkt doch an die Forelle, Seht ihr Gefahr, so eilt! Meist fehlt ihr nur aus Mangel Der Klugheit. Mädchen seht Verführer mit der Angel! Sonst blutet ihr zu spät.
| Trout
In a clear little brook, There darted, about in happy haste, The moody trout Dashing everywhere like an arrow. I stood on the bank And watched, in sweet peace, The fish’s bath In the clear little brook.
A fisherman with his gear Came to stand on the bank And watched with cold blood As the little fish weaved here and there. But as long as the water remains clear, I thought, no worry, He’ll never catch the trout With his hook.
But finally, for the thief, Time seemed to pass too slowly. He made the little brook murky, And before I thought it could be, So his line twitched. There thrashed the fish, And I, with raging blood, Gazed on the betrayed one.
You who tarry by the golden spring Of secure youth, Think still of the trout: If you see danger, hurry by! Most of you err only from lack Of cleverness. Girls, see Seducers with their tackle! Or else, too late, you'll bleed.
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Not really related to the true concept in the story, but...
Trouts are really smart.
In clear water streams in Colorado where I tried to catch them, it appears that they see me as a hunter.
No matter how well I present the bait to them, they seem to know and just ignore the bait.
It was my experience that they bite when they are in a place where they don't see or feel my presence.
So, it was generally a surprise and unexpected when I got their bites and caught them.
I always let them go after carefully removing the hook.
I am not the bad fisherman in the story.