Wang Bao, a fisherman in Qingzhou, once caught a fish in a big river, which was very large, weighing thirty or forty catties. The fisherman was very happy and temporarily kept the fish in the tank, ready to sell it on the market the next day for a good price. Wang Bao's wife fetched water to cook, and saw that the big fish looked very different. It seemed to have a pair of feet hidden on the fish, which could be seen when swimming, and the fish's head looked like a human face, which was very strange! After his wife saw it, she said to Wang Bao, "This fish looks a little unusual, and I'm afraid something bad will happen to it!" After Wang Bao heard this, he was also a little uncertain, but for a while, he could not give up the money that was about to be received.

Wang Bao had a hard time making a decision because of this matter, and he didn't feel sleepy all night. On the third watch, someone was suddenly talking in a low voice outside, and Wang Bao thought that someone was stealing the fish, so he quietly went out and walked to the water tank. A toad jumped under the water tank, saying in human words, "This water tank is too high." Please wait a moment for the mistress, and go find someone to help you now! The big fish in the water tank replied eagerly, there is not much time left now, and if you are late, your life will be at risk, so you should go back quickly! After Wang Bao heard this, he was astonished and stayed where he was to observe. After about half an hour, the toad came with a few big turtles, wanting to remove the water tank, but their strength was far from enough!

At this time, the toad and the turtle were anxiously talking to each other, what should we do? The big fish in the water tank advised that this should be God's will! In this case, you should all go back quickly, and being caught late is no different from my ending! The toad and the big turtle both cried in a low voice, saying goodbye to the big fish, and slowly crawled out of the yard. Wang Bao couldn't bear it when he saw it, so he took a knife and walked to the water tank and said to the big fish, "If you can talk, tell me the truth, or I'll kill you right away!" At this time, the big fish said, I am the wife of the river god, unfortunately caught by you, and now it is in your hands. Life and death are up to you to decide.

After hearing this, Wang Bao sighed. I have been fishing in the river, using your people to support my family's livelihood, how dare I harm you! I put the big fish back into the river. After a few days, Wang Bao was selling fish in the market, and a customer bought a herring, which cost 120 yuan! The customer searched all over his body and couldn't collect enough money, so he used a pearl to mortgage it in Wang Bao's hands, and agreed to redeem it with him tomorrow. That night, Wang Bao dreamed that the river god's wife came to him and said that she specially asked someone to send the pearl to thank him. This pearl is different from ordinary pearls, and it can be worth a lot of money. Let Wang Bao go to the pawnshop to sell it, so that he can change his livelihood and stop fishing.

Wang Bao couldn't believe it when he woke up. After waiting for two days, the customer who bought the fish did not come to redeem the pearl, so he went to the pawn shop and sold the pearl for 300 taels, bought a field property, and changed his career to a restaurant.