The Sea and Little Fishes
Encyclopedia
The Sea and Little Fishes is a short story by Terry Pratchett
, written in 1998. It is set in his Discworld
universe, and features Lancre witches Granny Weatherwax
and Nanny Ogg
. It was originally published in a sampler alongside a story called "The Wood Boy" by Raymond E. Feist
, and later in a collection called Legends
.
The story established a basis for various elements of the novel A Hat Full of Sky
, but is not required to understand that novel.
A coalition of witches, led by self-appointed organiser Lettice Earwig, asks Granny Weatherwax not to participate in the annual Lancre Witch Trials, on account of her always winning. She agrees, becoming disconcertingly nice. This is because Granny has made it clear in the Tiffany Aching series that she does not approve of Lettice Earwig's methods, and admitting that a rival is correct at the time of her own choosing is the greatest and most calculated insult Granny can possibly deliver to another witch, essentially having agreed with Lettice Earwig's 'admission' that she cannot beat Granny.
The title has confused people; Pratchett has since explained that Granny is the sea, and the other witches are the fishes (at one point Nanny says that calling Granny 'full of pride' is like calling the sea 'full of water'; water is what the sea is).
It is based on the "ancient phrase" The big sea does not care which way the little fishes swim, which Pratchett made up at some point before the story, and finally used in Night Watch.
! colspan="3" | Reading order guide
Terry Pratchett
Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
, written in 1998. It is set in his Discworld
Discworld
Discworld is a comic fantasy book series by English author Sir Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. The books frequently parody, or at least take inspiration from, J. R. R....
universe, and features Lancre witches Granny Weatherwax
Granny Weatherwax
Esmerelda "Esme" Weatherwax is a fictional character from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. She is a witch and member of the Lancre coven. She is the self-appointed guardian of her small country, and frequently defends it against supernatural powers...
and Nanny Ogg
Nanny Ogg
Gytha Ogg is a character from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. She is a witch and member of the Lancre coven.- Personality :The character of Nanny Ogg is based on the Mother stereotype of the Triple Goddess myth...
. It was originally published in a sampler alongside a story called "The Wood Boy" by Raymond E. Feist
Raymond E. Feist
Raymond Elias Feist is an American author who primarily writes fantasy fiction. He is best known for The Riftwar Cycle series of novels and short stories. His books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold over 15 million copies.- Biography :Raymond E...
, and later in a collection called Legends
Legends (book)
Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy is a collection of 11 novellas by a number of noteworthy fantasy authors, edited by Robert Silverberg. All the stories were original to the collection, and set in the authors' established fictional worlds...
.
The story established a basis for various elements of the novel A Hat Full of Sky
A Hat Full of Sky
A Hat Full of Sky is a novel written by Terry Pratchett set on the Discworld, written with younger readers in mind. First published in 2004, it is set two years after The Wee Free Men, and features an 11-year old Tiffany Aching....
, but is not required to understand that novel.
A coalition of witches, led by self-appointed organiser Lettice Earwig, asks Granny Weatherwax not to participate in the annual Lancre Witch Trials, on account of her always winning. She agrees, becoming disconcertingly nice. This is because Granny has made it clear in the Tiffany Aching series that she does not approve of Lettice Earwig's methods, and admitting that a rival is correct at the time of her own choosing is the greatest and most calculated insult Granny can possibly deliver to another witch, essentially having agreed with Lettice Earwig's 'admission' that she cannot beat Granny.
The title has confused people; Pratchett has since explained that Granny is the sea, and the other witches are the fishes (at one point Nanny says that calling Granny 'full of pride' is like calling the sea 'full of water'; water is what the sea is).
It is based on the "ancient phrase" The big sea does not care which way the little fishes swim, which Pratchett made up at some point before the story, and finally used in Night Watch.
Translations
- Rybki Małe Ze Wszystkich Mórz (PolishPolish languagePolish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
)
! colspan="3" | Reading order guide