In this story, a little fish is swimming as fast as he can. He explains that the hat that he is wearing does not belong to him. He stole it. But it's okay, because as soon as he can reach that big forest where all the trees grow close together, he will be safe and no one will ever find him.
However, the hat's rightful owner isn't as oblivious as the little fish would like to believe...
Tropes included in this work:
- Karma Houdini: The fish's goal is to disappear into the kelp forest with the stolen hat and never be found. He fails, making this an aversion.
- Mugging the Monster: The hat's rightful owner is much, much bigger than the tiny fish.
- Nothing Is Scarier: The last page shows the larger fish with his hat back. The smaller fish's fate is unknown. Presumed, perhaps, but we don't see it.
- Smug Snake: The little fish, once he makes it to the kelp forest.
- Spanner in the Works: The crab tells the hat's owner where the fish went.
- Tempting Fate: Throughout the story, the fish reassures himself that he'll be safe, that the hat's owner will never notice the hat is gone or figure out who took it. The illustrations show exactly the opposite.
- Villain Protagonist: The little fish.
