A young otter sat on a bench by the bazaar, mouth drooling. The crunchy taste of a fish lingered in his mouth. He watched as one after another, the foxes in their best work tunics left the large manor heading towards the bazaar. On the edge or the bazaar a familiar smell, salt and fish together wafted to his nostrils. To his right, his uncle gestures to the foxes.

“You get to pick one, nephew… great location, time of day or a crowd of hungry foxes, birds and otters. Which do you pick?”

“Uncle, well every time I would pick the third one. If the foxes from the ministry had lunch at midnight I sure would be there to sell, if I was selling that is,” the otter said.

Squinting in the midday sun, he gestured to the carts in front.

“All of those carts, they’re selling regular fish.”

“Ah! You’re perceptive! Good on you! So my new recipe could be a hit, then!” His uncle flashed a smile.

A few of the foxes broke off towards them as his Uncle got up to walk over to his cart.

“That it will be, if we can keep our advantage. Chip get me my apron if you would.“

The cart has a large sign on it. Reading “Mr. Steal your pearl,” it had a crude drawing of an otter hawking a fish.

Chip stood up and smoothed his tunic out grabbing the pack behind the bench. He gently placed his own apron on and handed an apron to his uncle.

The first fox arrived and his uncle came to greet him.

“Ah yer lordship sire, today I’ve got these new salty fish on a sticks fer yas,” his uncle grabbed something from the giant cart.

Holding up a small flounder, the smoking salted fish unleashed a wave of pungent smells. The foxes eyes teared up as he grabbed a pearl to hand to Chip.

Biting into the fresh fish, Chip could see the fox savor the bite. He imagined the fox trying to pinpoint the mouthfeel of the fish and smiled.

“I didn’t think that fish in a stick would work,” the fox said ,”but this was something else.”

“I made the sauce myself!” His uncle said proudly.

“Truly?” The fox eyed them both. They nodded.

“Another.”

He dropped a second pearl into Chips hand.