there was much gladness between the sea king and the happy hunter , and they sat and talked for a long time . at last the sea king clapped his hands , and then a huge retinue of fishes appeared , all robed in ceremonial garments , and bearing in their fins various trays on which all kinds of sea delicacies were served . a great feast was now spread before the king and his royal guest . all the fishes - in - waiting were chosen from amongst the finest fish in the sea , so you can imagine what a wonderful array of sea creatures it was that waited upon the happy hunter that day . all in the palace tried to do their best to please him and to show him that he was a much honored guest . during the long repast , which lasted for hours , ryn jin commanded his daughters to play some music , and the two princesses came in and performed on the koto ( the japanese harp ) , and sang and danced in turns . the time passed so pleasantly that the happy hunter seemed to forget his trouble and why he had come at all to the sea king 's realm , and he gave himself up to the enjoyment of this wonderful place , the land of fairy fishes ! who has ever heard of such a marvelous place ? but the mikoto soon remembered what had brought him to ryn gu , and said to his host :
what happened because all the fishes-in-waiting were chosen from amongst the finest fish ?
wonderful array of sea creatures waited upon the happy hunter .
a wonderful array of sea creatures it was that waited upon the happy hunter .