Catfish in a Bottle
| Catawba Cat walked into the River City Tackle Shop with a small catfish in a bottle in one hand and a library book in the other. The fish was nothing special. To everyone's surprise, it looked like an ordinary Arkansas Blue. When asked why he had the little catfish, Catawba replied, "Because it's special. It talks to me and promises to grant me a wish if I release it.” "Where did you get it?" Catawba answered, "I scooped it out of the river where it was floating near the Duke of Earl's palace. It scared the heck out me when I first heard it speak.” The man asked, “What did it say?" Catawba answered, "It pleaded with me to release it. When I refused, it offered to turn itself into a beautiful princess, marry me and give me a fortune. I've been tying to figure out what to do ever since.” A second tackle shop patron asked, "What's the book about?" Catawba thought a minute and then answered, "I haven't read it yet, but I think it’s about a genie trapped in a bottle who will grant a wish to the person who releases it.” Days passed and Catawba took his treasured fish everywhere. It soon grew too large for the bottle and had to be placed in a minnow bucket. Eventually, it outgrew the bucket and its new home became a fifty-gallon bait tank. Everyone urged him to release the fish, but Catawba wouldn't hear of it. Finally, the fish grew so big that it had to be placed in a pond on the other side of town. There it was tethered to the end of an anchor rope where it swam in circles. In the meantime, Catawba read the book about genies, magic frogs and fairy princesses. The more he read the more confused and perplexed he became. He liked the fish, but he didn't want to settle down and get married. Then again, a magic princess who could grant a wish wouldn't be a bad companion to have. While he pondered, the fish continued to grow. Now it was almost too big for the pond. If he waited much longer, the talking catfish would be too large to move without causing harm. Catawba finally decided to take it back to the river where he found it. He untied the rope and bid it farewell. The fish was shocked so it asked why it was being released without having to grant a favor. Catawba didn't want to hurt the lady catfish's feelings, so he weighed his response carefully. The fish asked again, "Why am I being released without having to grant a wish?” For once in his life, Catawba was speechless. Finally he said, "On second thought, I will take you up on that wish.” "Ok", replied the catfish. Let’s hear it." Catawba said, "I wish you were small again and could fit back in the bottle where I first found you swimming.” Following a big puff of smoke, the lady catfish was back in the bottle. Catawba was glad his ordeal was over. He had never had to think so hard in his whole life. The next day, he returned to the River City Tackle Shop with the catfish swimming in the bottle. When asked why he didn't wish for something special, Catawba replied, "Shucks, at my age I'd rather have a talking catfish than be married to a rich magic princess.” Be reminded that small fish have...........LARGE TALES! Captain Gus Gustafson is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, an accomplished author and a Professional Sport Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his Web site at http://www.fishingwithgus.com/ , or e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com or call 704-617-6812. |
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| February 2008 |