Scales of Justice

Daphne grew old scaling fish for her father, then for her brother. Grey washed her hair, her skin, and even her smile when she bothered. Her skin dried, carved by salt air just as the limestone along the shore grew chiseled by the ocean. She loved a man who ignored her completely.

She fell in love when just sixteen; he was twenty. She thought him perfect in every way but one – he did not notice her however she tried. Twenty years of trying left marks on her soul. Daphne carried her love even as it bent her shoulders and crushed the life out of her.

One day, Daphne’s brother caught a very large red fish, of a type Daphne did not remember ever scaling before. The fish seemed to look at Daphne directly into her soul. She smiled a real smile. As she removed the scales, gently to honor such a beautiful fish, her hand brushed her face and reached to tuck a stray bit of hair back behind her ear. Her skin shed its grey. The deep crevices disappeared, replaced by a smooth olive complexion, glowing in health. Her hair lost its paleness, becoming a warm rich brown, as a wild horse running across the steppes. Gentle waves brushed her shoulders like a calm sea lying in the sun.

Daphne felt rather than saw these changes, until she stepped over to the washtub. As she looked at her image her brain did not register it was her own image that stared back. She slipped one hand into the water, and a streak of grey appeared in her hair. As she pulled her hand out in surprise, the grey faded again. Daphne decided not to trust her luck by washing her hands. She carefully picked up the red fish, now shorn of its silvery scales, and took it to her sister-in-law inside the fish shop.

“Can I help you, madam?”

“It’s me, Daphne.”

“You don’t look like Daphne. How do I know it is really you?”

“You did not know me when I was young, but I have cleaned and scaled this fish Tomas caught. He is special, this one. Somehow, he has made me young again.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t really believe it myself.”

“You do have Daphne’s eyes. When is your birthday?”

“The same as yours, Chloe.”

“Alright, suppose you are Daphne. What... I mean, how ...?”

“I don’t understand, but something about this fish.”

“What do I do with him?”

“I guess sell him. The changes seem to come from his scales. I kept a handful of them.”

“Let me try. I’d like to look younger again.”

Daphne handed a silver scale to Chloe, but nothing changed.

“Try rubbing it on your face.”

“Ewe.”

“Well, that’s what I did, accidently at first.”

Still nothing changed in Chloe’s looks. Her hair remained streaked with a few grey strands, her eyes kept their crow’s feet. The only change seemed to be her jealousy at Daphne’s good fortune. As it grew and festered, their home became a place of unhappiness. Finally, Tomas told Daphne she would have to leave. Daphne began to cry, her tears washing down her checks. As she cried, her hair turned clear, a streak running down her back like a mountain stream. Daphne walked through the town to the main square.

The men stared at her, a beautiful stranger to them. Daphne kept an eye out for Stephano, her love, where his vegetable stall usually set up. He was busy serving customers, but caught a glimpse of Daphne while wrapping a package of peas for a steady customer. He lifted his head and stared, not recognizing Daphne until she spoke to him.

“Hello, Stephano.”

“Daphne. What... How... ?”

“A special fish.”

“Aw, c’mon. What really happened?”

“A long story.”

Daphne’s heart beat faster with every word she spoke. He noticed her. Stephano, her love. Her eyes fluttered and he smiled. Something snapped inside Daphne’s head – he noticed her only when she grew beautiful. He did not really see her any more clearly than the day before. He saw only her looks, not all of her good qualities. Daphne turned, and walked out of town. She could find some place to live and work and maybe love.