When I was ninety four my father would take me fishing.
In the middle of the night, when the tide was high, we would stride towards the sea front together. Waves crashed on the shore, spray rushed through the air, the wind screeched and seagulls wheeled around calling to whoever would listen.
We walked along the boards of the pier right to the centre of the storm-tossed sea. Once there we would stop and stand. My father would pull out and unravel a length of fishing line from a pocket in his mackintosh. He would then tie one end firmly to the railing and the other end to my ankle before throwing me over the rail into the black heaving water. It was an exhilarating experience but no matter how hard I tried I never managed to catch hold of a wriggling fish.
An hour or two later he would haul me back over the railings and we would return into town. Back towards a lit doorway, where I had to stand outside, dripping cold sea water. My father went inside and chatted while the proprietor shuffled newspapers into a heap. “The usual,” my father said, nodding as vinegar and salt were shaken vigorously into the pile, before it was folded into a parcel, which my father tucked under his arm. “He’s a brave lad, but he caught nothing.” my father explained as we left.
When we got home my mother stood me in front of a roaring fire, where I slowly turned, steaming and dripping, like a sort of human doner kebab. When I was no longer soaking, just damp, we sat at the wooden kitchen table tucking into our evening meal.
“I’m proud of you, lads,” my mother said, “You always bring home the fish.”
Keep on keepin’ on.
It serves us well to remember that much can be achieved if we are prepared to give things a try.
An 136 year old father with fishing line in his mackintosh pocket is not an essential accessory.
It will possibly be announced , quite soon, that real intelligence is not good for you and should be avoided at all costs. Only imitation will do.
Disclaimer
Be aware, these short pieces can cause long term effects to your chuckle muscle. Consume in small quantities, with this in mind. Or end up completely chuckled like myself.
But you being 94 at the time, emm one wonders… Strange person! 
