Such a salmon had eluded the fishermen for days by pretending to be a sun-shadow on the floor of the river. Eventually it was trapped on the banks of the Boyne after an arduous seven-year search of the waters; the fire was built up and the hero Aengus was ready for enlightenment. His slave Fionn dragged in wood for burning. Aengus prepared himself assiduously, he cleared his head of all material pleasure. He accepted that whatever would happen that day was the fate intended for him. Then as the fire took he awaited the knowledge. But such knowledge does not come so easily to the one who craves it. Aengus was lying back basking in the smell of the fish, and thinking of the great wonders within reach when he heard a sharp yell. It was the hero’s helper who had found enlightenment. For when Fionn touched the fish to see was it done, the scales of the cooked salmon adhered to his thumb. With a screech he reared back in fright, licked his fingers and the knowledge, as he leapt madly about, entered his soul.

So Fionn outwitted Aengus, though not deliberately.

Neither man was ever the same after. Aengus could not be consoled. This is the way it is with such knowledge – it comes to those who least expect it, and the first lesson such knowledge teaches is to console those who have not got it. Aengus was ready to do murder. Fionn had immediately, with humour and tact, to mollify him. Amelioration was necessary.

Fionn turned into a girl.

But this was no help. For Aengus fell in love with Fionn. Every step of the road she took, there was Aengus behind her. When she lay down to sleep Aengus was there beside her. When she went behind the bush Aengus was there before her. Aengus’ tone, that was once manly, became a long ingratiating whinge. It struck Fionn that the knowledge given her by the salmon was not knowledge at all if it be used only to console. She thought hard on this as she lay in her woman’s form by a small fire lit convenient to a salmon pool. And Aengus’ beady eye on her in the dark. She realized that such knowledge could only be gained by a long and dangerous trek into the world alone.