The Lobster and the Flounder

The Lobster and the Flounder

(A Tale from Kapingamarangi)

Lobster said to Flounder: “Let us-two hide from each other, see who is best at that.” Flounder agreed to play this game. Lobster went to a hole in the coral, hid his body; but his feelers stuck out, he could not hide them. Flounder knew where he was, found him.  
     
Said Flounder: “Now it is my turn.” He stirred up a cloud of mud and scooted into it. Then he returned to Lobster's side, so quietly that Lobster did not know he was there. “Here I am sir, Lobster”

Lobster was so angry at being beaten that he stamped on the fish and smashed him flat. Cried Flounder: “Now I've got one eye in the mud!” Therefore Lobster gouged it out for him and roughly stuck it back on top.

This is the reason why men tread on the Flounder, but can always see the Lobster’s feelers outside his hole.

Source:
Legends of the South Seas
Antony Alpers

1970
Page: 314