The chapter opens with a description of the behavior of the fish, who is very nervous. He tries to cover the egg, but it is too small for him to do so. He is afraid that the fish is going to do something adult, and he fears that he will die. The fish's body is much larger than his, and his tail is much longer than his. He fears the fish will kill him, and the fish tries to stop him, but his nose is bleeding from the stab wound. He tells the fish to go to bed, but the fish does not want to interrupt him, so he leaves him alone.