Fish and Taxes

This story is based on true live events. Almost all characters mentioned are real...

Many years ago, in the era of swords, ships and coins, a wealthy family decided to go on a cruise in the country. This was one way for the family to reunite as there was tension between the husband, wife and children.
Aboard the ship were all levels of the upper echelon; wealthy, rich and influential. Gold and silver were in abundant supply as the ship was loaded with ancient day coin dispensers.

On one of those days, a gold coin slipped from a child's hand while playing and rolled into the sea. Of course, the child could care less about the loss.
Under the sea, a school of fish was of course, in school and one of them strayed. As his culture was, he was attracted to shiny things and this gold coin was no exception.

He thought he could crack open this little shiny thing, but his failed attempt led to the coin being stuck in his throat. Gasping for breath, he swam to the surface in a disorderly manner, flapping his fins in great pain.
Unaware of the direction of the tide, the current took him to the seashore where a man was graciously waiting to relieve him of his agony, or so he thought.

Right before he happily dived back into the sea, he overheard the man saying to three men with spears "take, this is the tax for me and my master". Whatever that meant, he didn't care to find out.