The Fishing Trip

It was a lovely vacation until the day of the fishing trip. I was excited; hoping to see whales or dolphins or something amazing, but I also felt very anxious, since I had never been on the ocean before. Some family told me I should take some medicine, but my husband didn’t want me to, because he was afraid I would get sleepy and not enjoy the day. It was a beautiful day and the warm summer sun shone down, yet there was a cool breeze from the water. We went to the wharf to board the boat our family had chartered. There were six of us, along with two crewmembers. It was supposed to be a half-day trip, but Capt. Bryan said we might have to go out further to get any good fishing in, so we agreed to a full day trip. The ride out was incredible. The boat went so fast and the spray felt cool and refreshing. I wasn’t bothered by the motion – the boat virtually flew across waves. We saw a school of flying fish --nothing – then, suddenly several flashes of silver would erupt from the waves like fireworks. They would sail through the air, sometimes for quite a distance before diving into the water once again. It was a sight to behold! We rode for miles into the ocean – no land visible in any direction. It was a little disconcerting, but I was okay – until we stopped. When the boat was still, it wasn’t still. Suddenly I understood The Pirate Ship I’ve ridden so many times at Six Flags. Only this was worse – much, much worse! Soon I wasn’t feeling very well. . . I took a Dramamine, knowing it was already too late. I ate crackers to no avail. I went inside the cabin. That didn’t help either. I was seasick! What a terrible feeling! It was miserable on a thousand different levels. Somehow I survived the day, although I didn’t enjoy it. It was eleven very long hours on the ocean. No whales, no dolphins, and we only caught one fish– a mahi-mahi that ended up costing us over $1,000! However, it was an experience from which I learned. As I reflect now, I consider the day and compare it to my reading experience. Like the day, I began my reading experience with both excitement and trepidation. Like the boat ride, there is sometimes excitement, sometimes fear. The waves carried us far out into the world as reading has always done for me. There have been highs and lows in my reading over the years, as the boat rode high and low in sync with the waves. However, unlike the fishing trip, reading is an adventure I will choose over and over again in spite of uncertainties. I don’t know when – if ever – I’ll go on another deep sea fishing voyage. For some things, once truly is enough!
Tonnye Williams Fletcher
Forever Young Author
Union Chapel Elementary School
Robeson Reading Council