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In the distance, a rooster crowed and blue
jays chattered. The young man awoke to another
cool morning as the song of the sparrow nipped at
his ears. Today was no ordinary day, today the
young man planned to head out fishing. The clock
struck four and the lad marched out the door, in
hopes of catching the big one. He began a three-mile
trek into the wilderness till at last he reached a
small clearing. A large glistening stone told the
boy he had reached his final destination. The water
trickled and snaked over and around various rocks and
debris. A young buck took a drink not far upstream.
The morning fog began to lift and it was clear that
today would prove to be a good day of fishing.
The boy sat amongst a clump of grass and a small
mouse soon joined him. The mouse scurried about
the grass in hopes of finding some berries to eat.
Still eager to find food, the furry little critter
climbed an overhanging branch, almost causing his
demise. Seeing the mouse about to fall in, a large
trout hurried from its hiding place beneath a fallen
tree. However, the mouse survived, and went about
his business. The boy saw great opportunity in this.
For once, he might actually catch the fish of his
dreams. However, he still sat patiently waiting.
The lad reached into his vest pocket to find a box
of flies he had spent so many hours making. He
crafted each fly with such care and integrity. A
large hairy fly caught his attention. Could that
big old brown trout be outwitted by a mouse look
alike? He pondered for a little while, but soon
proceeded to tie on his fake mouse. Slowly the
young man crept upon the river, so as not to spook
its inhabitants. One slipup, one loud step could
send every fish for the next mile running in fright.
He concentrated on his goal, and almost immediately
he saw his own reflection on the water. Slightly
startled, he jumped back. Realizing his foolishness,
the boy went back to the task at hand. He barely
breathed as he headed for the far side of the river.
His slow creep took close to an hour, but here time
was not conceived and did not matter.
Again the boy sat and gazed at the water. He must
allow enough time for the water to settle once again.
In a few short minutes, the water cleared and the
boy was ready to begin the procedure. He waded
merely enough to get his boots wet, but he soon
took his position. Again the boy thought, he
could not make any mistakes or the fish would be
gone. He assembled the rod and within moments,
the boy was ready to make his first and possibly
only cast. If this cast was not perfect he may
never see the chance at the big old trout again.
The fly ascended into the air and began to fly to
and fro above the water. Before long the boy
released the line and away the fly went soaring
though the air. A picture perfect cast at first,
but before long, the mouse soon ended up dangling
from an overhanging limb. The boy could only think
that his chance had just come and gone, and he had
lost again. Just then, he remembered the real mouse
that had visited him. The possible fall of the mouse
from the dangling branch brought great anxiety to the
trout. If only he could replicate this action. Being
the smart young man he was, the boy began letting out
line. The fly approached the water fast and faster
before smashing into the creek. Just then, the
cumbersome trout was coaxed into feeding. The trout
scurried about the underwater rocks and took the
fly right off the water.
The great battle began. It was man versus fish in
an intense match. The fish ripped out line, only
to be tugged again and again towards the shore.
The old wise trout soon stopped his relentless
runs and began his route to the shoreline. Within
minutes, the fish was greeted by a very happy, yet
surprised young man. For once in his life, the boy
had beaten the fish in a tough battle. The fish
gasped as he tried to breathe the gaseous air. The
lad was more than thrilled with his catch, however
he knew he must do what is right.
A kiss goodbye on the snout and away the trout
swam back to its home. ~ DK
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