Buckley's Early Days (Part II)

In Buckley’s Early Days (Part I), we learnt about Buckley’s shenanigans as he looked for better ways to complete his chores and free up some time fer himself to focus on some of the things he was interested in. Now if you remember, gettin’ to this point caused Buck some hurt fer a while, but in the end, all the risk and trouble was indeed worth it.

Now even before Buck had truly perfected his formula to make chores easier, he was interested in fishin’. Yup, whenever the weather was fine and the conditions right, Buck would grab his old fishin’ pole and head down to Coldwater Creek fer a couple of hours of fishin’. At the beginnin’, Buck didn’t catch much…at all. In fact, he didn’t even use any kind of decent bait at first. He was mighty confused, wonderin’ why no fish would take a bite of his hook so he could reel it in. Buck used some old pieces of tater skin or apple cores to fish with, but the fish just weren’t interested.

Disappointed, young Buckley made his way back home. Sittin’ down at dinner, Buckley’s papa noticed he weren’t too interested in eatin’ and seemed distant. He asked Buck what had him so down in the mouth, and with some hesitation, Buckley explained how he hadn’t managed to even get a bite when he went fishin’, never mind catchin’ a fish. Papa asked him what bait he was usin’, and once Buckley told him, Papa chuckled, adjusted his spectacles and told Buckley he’d need somethin’ tastier and a little wigglier to get the fish interested!

Yup, Buckley needed some big, fat, juicy earthworms to get the fish to pay attention! The very next day after completin’ his chores, Buckley used his trusty shovel to dig in the garden and filled a small bucket with some soil and earthworms to use as bait. A short while later, bucket in one paw and fishin’ rod in the other, Buck headed back to his spot at Coldwater Creek, ready to tussle with some tricky fish!

After baitin’ his hook and gettin’ his rod ready, Buckley cast his line out into the pristine water. After a few minutes, Buckley felt a few little nibbles…and then some more. A moment later, a fish took the bait! Buck pulled back on his rod to set the hook, and the fish started fightin’ against him! Whatever had bitten felt pretty big, and Buckley was taken pretty off guard. He let the fish run a bit and then started reelin’ it in. Everythin’ seemed to be goin’ well…but then, Buckley’s fishin’ rod started to crack!

In a panic, Buckley tried to grab the rod higher up, but it was no use. With one almighty pull, the fish snapped the rod clean in two! Buckley fell back on his rear, knockin’ over his bucket o’ worms in the process. Buck angrily slammed his fist down into the wet mud next to him…he was furious!

That night at the dinner table, Buck’s papa noticed his son was mighty angry and not eatin’ again. He asked Buck what had happened this time, and Buckley replied that he had managed to hook a fish, but that it had snapped his rod clean in two! Buck’s papa chortled again and explained to Buckley that he needed to work on his technique a little, but he also mentioned that he probably needed a stronger rod! Buckley thought about what his papa had said and started comin’ up with a plan…

The next day Buckley looked around fer the strongest and most tensile branch he could find. He looked all over the farm until he finally found what he was lookin’ fer. He quickly set to work carvin’ the branch, whittlin’ it down into the shape of a rod. He then added eyelets all along his new rod and attached his reel. After a few practice casts and gatherin’ up some more worms, Buck headed back to Coldwater Creek.

Buckley prepared his rod and cast his line into the water. An awful long while seemed to pass, and fer a moment, it seemed like there were no fish at all in the water…but then, in an instant, the biggest fish in the creek grabbed hold of Buckley’s line! Buck wasn’t at all prepared, but after rememberin’ what his papa had said, he reckoned he could handle it.

Buckley and the fish battled fer what seemed like hours, both pittin’ their wits and strength against one another. Just when it seemed like Buck had the advantage, the fish would regain its strength and fight back, and just as the fish seemed like it would get away, Buckley would tug on the fishin’ rod. The sun was startin’ to go down, and Buckley was nearly through, but finally, the fish seemed to run outta steam. Buck saw this opportunity and started reelin’ in the fish as fast as he could. Before he knew it, he had the biggest catfish he had ever seen within his grasp!

Buckley was delighted, but he saw that the catish was mighty tired and just wanted to get back to his catfish family. Bein’ the bear he is, Buckley congratulated the fish on a good fight and put him back in the creek.

That night at dinner, Buckley grinned from ear to ear. Papa noticed Buckley’s joy and simply nodded in approval. He knew that Buckley had managed to catch a fish and had listened well to his advice. He was mighty proud of Buckley, and Buckley was mighty pleased that he had caught such a big ol’ fish and let it live to challenge other fishermen in the future.

Moral of this here story is: if you want somethin’ or someone to pay attention, you gotta make sure you give ‘em what they’re interested in. And just when you think you may be at yer wit’s end, you may just need to find the strength and determination to carry on, because the rewards are well worth it in the end.