THE SALMON OF KNOWLEDGE
Finnegas was a poet and one of the wisest men in Ireland. At that time there were no schools and it was very common for you warriors to live with the poets and wise men of the time where they would would learn about poetry and literature of the time. Fionn was the son of the warrior Cumhaill and he was training to be a warrior. He came to live with Finnegas on the shores of the River Boyne.
Finnegas was always watching the river as he was looking for the Salmon of Knowledge. This salmon was a magical salmon and the first person to taste the salmon would be the wisest person in Ireland.
One day Finnegas saw the salmon jumping in the water. He called to Fionn to get him a cloth to cover his eyes because legend had it that if he looked into the eyes of the Salmon it would cause him to fall asleep. All day long he struggled to catch this fish. As night was falling he gave one last try and caught the Salmon. Finnegas was exhausted and asked Fionn to cook the Salmon for him. He warned Fionn to wake him when the Salmon was cooked and for Fionn not to taste it. Fionn built a fire and cooked the Salmon. As it cooked Fionn noticed a bubble appear on its flesh and burst it with his thumb. He burnt his thumb and immediately stuck it in his mouth for relief.
As soon as the Salmon was cooked he called Finnegas.Finnegas knew immediately by looking at the boy that something had happened. When Fionn told him about burning his thumb and sucking it Finnegas was sad but he was also happy that Fionn had got the gift. He told Fionn to go immediately to Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland and there he would become the leader of the Fianna.
When Fionn got to Tar he found the people terrified of a fiery monster that appeared every year at Samhain and burned the palace to the ground. Fionn offered to kill the monster in return for becoming the leader of the Fianna. The all agreed as they knew that only the best warrior would beat the monster. The monster came. He sent out long tongues of flame. Fionn took off his cloak and beat out the fire before it reached the palace walls. When the monster saw this he turned and fled but Fionn followed him out and cut off his head and took the head back to the High King on a spear.
"You have killed the monster" said the king. "You are the best warrior in Ireland. From now on you shall be the leader of the Fianna."
