THE KING OF THE GOLDEN RIVER

Raju was a poor fisherman. He lived on the banks of a big river. It was called as the Golden river. Early one morning before the sun set Raju took his net and walked over the water. A few stars were still shining in the sky.
Raju was hungry. "I must catch plenty of fish this morning," He said to himself. "If I dont catch any fish, we shall not have much to eat today. "for a long time, Raju pulled his net through the stream, but he did not catch any fish. The stars left the sky. The sun rose and it become hot. Raju wanted to go home, but just then he felt a tug. Raju pulled the net to the bank and found a beautiful, golden fish inside. To his surprise, the fish spoke to him, "Throw me back into the water," it said. "Please throw me back. If I lie in this hot sun I'll die."
Raju looked at the fish. It shown as brightly as the sun. It was certainly very beautiful. He felt sorry for the fish. He took it carefully out of the net and threw it back into the stream. Then he went home. that Raju's wife had only a little rice, which she made into a thin soup. The family sat round the small fire that burned outside the hut. Just then, an oldman came slowly along the river path and stopped beside Raju and his family. "May I rest here pls?" he asked. "Tomorrow, I'm going to cross the river". "You are welcome," said Raju. "Sit by the fire. "Sleep there father until it is light," he said. "In the morning, I'll take you across the river". If u try to cross the river by yourself you may drown".
Raju woke early next morning. But the oldman had already gone. "How can he cross the river by himself?" Raju said to his wife. He ran along the river bank, but he couldnot found the oldman. Then he took his boat and crossed the river, but no one on the otherside had seen the oldman. That night Raju's family ate only soup again. The next morning Raju took his net to the river again. He felt weak because his stomach was empty. At last, he felt a big fish fall into his net. He pulled it to the river bank.Inside was the beautiful Golden fish.
"Throw me back," whispered the fish in a voice that was now weak. "If I lie in the hot sunI'll die." The fish tried to jump but it was not strong enough.
Raju looked at the beautiful fish, and he felt sad. "I cant allow such a beautiful fish to die," he thought.And he threw the fish into the river. that evening Raju heard the sound of many drums and bells. He saw some men approaching his hut. He carried a big red umbrella walked a man dressed in gold with a gold turban on his head. Behind him were drummer and musicians. Raju waited for him and the others to pass. But he stopped in front of his hut. "Raju, Raju" the men called im the king of the golden river. I was the old man and you gave me food. I was the golden fish and you saved my life twice. You were kind and helpful to me . No I want to help u in return. Please come and live in my house and look after my golden fish.
So Raju and his family went to live in the Kings Golden house beside the river. The kings takes were full of beautiful, golden fish Raju gave them food and looked after them. He lived there happily with his family all the days of his life.