The sea and little fishes

"The Sea and Little Fishes" is a fantasy short story by Sir Terry Pratchett. The title is based on an "ancient proverb" allegedly invented by Pratchett ten minutes before he started writing the story, which says, "The big sea doesn't care which way the little fishes swim." Although the plot contains witchcraft it has been interpreted as an allegory about the sin of pride, and magic use is portrayed as a vain and dangerous trait.