Question

why was the landlord amazed at the 4 stories a fishy story

Answer 1

A Fishy Story is actually an entertaining piece that is meant to show how locals think they can take advantage of the visitors' ignorance. The story starts off with two characters, the narrator and his friend, George, entering a parlor to relax. Their co-occupant was an old man. George and the narrator then notice a very large trout, so large that the narrator thinks it is a cod. The old man tells them that he was the one who caught it, 16 years ago. Then the man leaves after describing how he caught the fish. He then bids them good night. Then the local carrier walks in, claiming that he was the one who caught the same fish, FIVE years ago. Now the narrator and George are very surprised. He tells them the story, and leaves. Five minutes later, a third man comes in and tells them that he caught the fish, and leaves. Finally, a middle-aged man walks in somberly, and sits down. George then tries something, and asks the stranger if he could tell them how he caught the huge trout. The stranger is surprised, and gladly tells them the story. He also leaves. The landlord then comes in. Now, the narrator and George tell him all the various funny histories that they have learnt, and ask him who actually caught the fish. He tells them that he did, and then leaves. George, giving in to his curiosity, climbs up to get a closer look. He slips, and knocks the case to the ground. George gets up and sees that the fish has shattered into a "thousand" pieces. It was made of PoP!