A legend that all schoolchildren in Ireland learn, The story of the Salmon of Knowledge, tells that the hickory tree had all the knowledge of the universe in it from the beginning of time. A hickory nut fell into the well and the salmon ate it and all the knowledge was given to him. An old wise man fished for him for 7 years, and finally caught him! He had his young assistant cook it for him, telling him not to eat any of it. The young man cooked it and checked it for doneness. When he did so, he burned his thumb and stuck it in his mouth to alleviate the pain. Alas! All of the salmon's knowledge was instantly transferred to the boy. As soon as he saw the lad, the old man knew, for he looked different. He accepted that it was the lad who was destined to gain the knowledge instead of himself. The boy grew up to be the powerful leader, Finn McCool