 |
|
|
“Ooo, Ooo, I got one!” The little fist reeled furiously, and the tiny brown and white shape was hoisted into the air. Swinging helplessly in the air can’t be really pleasant if you are a fish. This one certainly didn’t enjoy it, and proceeded to puff up before we could get him off the hook.
“Hold on. Let’s get him off there.”
Carefully, large, capable hands reached out and grabbed the hapless fish. The hook was carefully removed and two pairs of eyes looked at their catch.
Toadfish aren’t fussy about what they eat, nor are they particularly smart, which probably explains why they, and not all the other edible fish, were busy taking our bait that day.
Then again, they got a free feed, while we went home with nothing more than an empty bucket and a mild sunburn.
Or did we? Perhaps we learned that all of God’s creatures are special. Even the humble toadfish, whose lot in life is to vacuum the sea floor, who is neither attractive nor edible, has an important role to play.
After all, can a toadfish say, “because I am not a barramundi, or a red emperor, I have no part in sea life?” Good heavens no! No more than an ear can say, because I am not an eye, I am not of the body. Hmm, now where did I read that?
Perhaps we learned to show mercy. When the little fist that had pulled the fish out of the water carefully dropped him back into the sea, there was a recognition that we do not lightly take a life, any life.
Perhaps we cemented a relationship; standing on a rickety bridge, working and playing, side by side, just hanging out and going fishing.
Yes, despite the paucity of our catch, I’d say that a profitable time was had by all.
Especially the fish!
|
|
|
