If Only My Fishing Rod Could Talk (standard:humor, 907 words)
Author: Godspenman	Added: Sep 06 2020	Views/Reads: 1292/926	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
My grandpa could exaggerate his fishing stories for the enjoyment of everybody listening. When it comes to real truth, the only truth that matters is Jesus Christ. Only His truth can really set us free.

It has been a busy week, more so than any other week. Just when I
thought I was caught up, something else presented itself without my 
permission. 

That seems to be what life is all about. I remember my father telling me
when I complained to him how busy my life was and how my employer 
wanted me to do a lot of work, "Son, that's life. 

To be sure, he was right. My father has been right many times, and if
only I would have listened to him, I would not have experienced some of 
the problems that I did. Just don't let him know I said that. 

In the middle of trying to sort out my mess this week, I sat back in my
chair, took a deep sigh, and then noticed my old fishing rod in my 
office corner. 

It has been there ever since we moved into this house. I forgot that it
was there, and as I looked at it, I remembered some of the times I had 
with that old fishing rod. 

I smiled and thought to myself, "If only that fishing rod could talk,"
what stories could the fishing rod tell? 

As a young person, I spent a lot of time fishing. My grandfather taught
me the art of fishing. He was a great fisherman and had many great 
stories about his fishing adventures. 

I remember one day I spent fishing with him. That night around the
kitchen table, he began telling about his fishing exploits. I sat there 
listening in awe. The stories he told had nothing to do with the day we 
spent together fishing. 

He would look at me in the middle of the story and say, "Ain't that so?"
Of course, I am never going to contradict my grandfather. I know that I 
will be in his shoes one day, and I want to make sure I have earned the 
right to wear them. 

Enthusiastically nodding my head, I would say, "It sure is, grandpa." He
would smile and go on with the story. 

Looking back, I wished I had taken notes of all his stories. It would
have been a fascinating book to read, I am sure. 

It is not that fishermen tell lies; they rearrange the truth. What good
is the truth unless you can embellish it to the entertainment of those 
listening? 

My grandfather certainly entertained people with his stories. I never
knew if people believed his stories or not; nobody ever contradicted 
him. They listened, laughed, and enjoyed every story he told. 

One time, after one of his storytelling episodes, we were out in the
garage working on some of his fishing equipment. We were alone, so I 
thought it might be a good time to get the scoop on what he was doing. 

"Grandpa," I said thoughtfully, "where do you get all of those stories
about fishing that you tell us?" 

He looked at me, laughed most heartily, and said, "I get all those
fishing stories from going out to the creek and fishing." 

Then he looked at me, winked, and said, "Just, remember. There is some
truth in every story I tell. It's up to the listener to figure out what 
is true and what is not." Then he let a burst of hearty laughter. 

With a solemn look on his face, he continued, "The thing about fishing
is not simply catching fish, but entertaining your family and friends 
with what you could've done if it went your way." 

As I was sitting in my office looking at my fishing rod, I begin to
understand for the first time what my grandpa was trying to say. 

I spent a little time reflecting on some of grandpa's stories, and even
now, I was chuckling. His stories never get old, and my laughter never 
goes away. 


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