Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "A Man is Known by the Company He Keeps" (without using the actual phrase). (01/31/08)
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TITLE: The Fish House | Previous Challenge Entry
By Daneda Heppner
02/07/08 -
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The “Ice Castle” was a deluxe fish house with seats for six. Lights on the wall glowed warmly against cedar paneling, and he snorted softly when he noticed the carpet. No more kneeling on wet particle board in an unfinished shell. This was perfect! He would get there early, turn the heater on and make sure the rattle reels weren’t frozen for his guests.
The men he invited were an eclectic group. The first to arrive was Joel, clutching a crumpled bag of sandwiches his mother had made. His father had died when Joel was a child, leaving the distraught widow the task of raising their retarded son by herself. Although a fine young man, he could be mildly irritating and had trouble keeping a job. He enjoyed a good laugh and was laughing now, excited at the prospect of spending the evening ice fishing with the men.
Luke arrived next, trudging across the ice lugging a bulging pack. He had stopped at the Bait ‘n Tackle store on the State Highway and bought everything the proprietor recommended. He hoped the rest of the men wouldn’t notice his lack of experience. He had just moved to town to set up a new dental practice, and was hoping for fish, friends, and lately, for faith.
Brad filled the doorway with his big frame, taking in the cozy interior with one glance before ducking in and setting the battered bait bucket down in the corner. He had been chomping at the bit, waiting for the early afternoon sun to set so he could head for the lake. His wife had encouraged him to come. They hadn’t been getting along very well lately. Maybe some time away would give him a different perspective.
Out on the lake, Walt turned his flashlight on and let it guide him to the brightly lit fish house, watching his footing carefully. He still couldn’t put all his weight on his artificial knee. It had been years since he’d taken his son ice fishing, years since he’d done much of anything but work. He was determined not to miss this opportunity. He turned to light the path for his son.
Paul followed behind his father, dragging a sled loaded with their tackle boxes and a camp stove to make hotdogs. He slowed his pace, letting his dad lead, and looked curiously ahead at the glowing fish house. It wouldn’t hurt to spend one evening ice fishing with his dad. They had been close when he was little, but then he had grown up and grown away from all of that. Maybe it would make up for some of the pain he had caused his father.
The Ice Castle was humming with energy as the men set up. Three fish struck immediately, and then no more, leaving plenty of time to eat hot dogs, play cards, and talk.
Brad was the first to take a reluctant leave as the evening wore down. He had to be at work early, and he was oddly anxious to get home and talk to his wife, maybe pray together. He hadn’t done that lately. Luke left with him, shaking the hand of his host warmly. The guy seemed genuine. It was good to have a guide through the darkness.
Walt and his son Paul settled in to stay to the end. Paul had forgotten what a great guy his dad was. Why had he ever resented him? Their host gathered up his equipment and left them alone, walking Joel across the frozen lake to meet his mother.
“Sorry you didn’t catch any walleyes, Reverend!” the boy called as he got in his mom’s car.
“That’s OK, I had a great time!” he yelled back, his voice echoing across the ice. He stood alone for a minute, looking up at the cold stars sparkling in the northern night. “And anyway,” he told the Master Angler with a smile, “I was fishing for men!”
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