A LESSON IN FISHING

Once upon a time, there was a little boy.

One day, he decided to go fishing. His dad agreed to take him and show him how to land a big one. He was a little scared, but mostly excited... and off they went.

He learned how to bait a hook. He learned how to cast. And he learned how to be patient. He sat and watched the familiar red-and-white bobber as it beckoned to the fish below.

Finally, it plunged under the water and his heart began to pound. He rapidly wound the reel. Fingers slipping in the excitement. But he did it. He landed the fish.

It was a small sand bass about the size of his hand and he loved it. He exhumed with pride. His hard work proved successful.

"Great job. Now throw it back. There are better and bigger fish down there. That one still has some growing to do. You can do better than that," his dad advised.

Reluctantly, he tossed back the fish. He was unsure about why he spent all that time and energy catching it, only to throw it back. But respectfully obeyed.

Again, he went through the motions of catching another fish.

Again he reeled in another one. Again he was told he could do better and to toss it back.

At the end of the day, the bucket was full of what he thought was similarly sized fish as the very first one he caught and the insightful boy questioned his dad.

"Dad. I don't get it. These all look pretty close to the first one I caught. Why did I have to throw it back?" he asked.

"Well, I was really hoping you'd do better and didn't want you to be disappointed," explained his dad.

The boy thought for a minute then he said, "Why would I have been disappointed? I did everything you told me to do to land it. I listened. I was patient. I think the first fish was fine. In fact, I think it was the one I was most proud of catching."

See? I get it...

But do you?