The Fisherman and the Fish°

All day long a fisherman stood,

fishing in a river.

Although he was ambitious, he

Was failing to deliver.

 

He pulled in his net a final time,

Intending to walk away,

For he was rightfully weary, and it

Was time to call it a day.

 

"It's too bad," he sighed, trying

Not to be upset,

When all of a sudden he noticed a fish

Squirming about in his net.

 

The tiny fish pleaded and pleaded

With him to set it free.

"I am HARDLY worth the effort.

Wouldn't you agree?

 

"Throw me back into the river,

So I can grow for a spell.

When I've become a larger fish,

I could serve you well.

 

"Right now I am just a tiny,

Insignificant thing.

But later you could put me on

A platter fit for a king."

 

"What do you take me for--a fool?"

The fisherman replied.

"That you do not amount to much

Cannot be denied.
 

"How in the world could you expect

That I should release you when

Both YOU and I know that I would never,

Ever see you again?

 

"Why let go of a certainty,

For something uncertain? And so

You're going home with me, and into

The frying pan you'll go."

 

The moral? Once in a while because of

The situation you're in,

You must be creative if you

Want to save your skin.

 

Another moral isn't about

Trying to save your tush.

It goes as follows: a bird in the hand

Is worth TWO in the bush.

 

-by Bob B (9-13-21)

 

°An Aesop fable retold here in verse

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Enjoyed Bob. A most entertaining read. All the best.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I so do enjoy your poetry Bob. They are humorous entertaining and delightfully profound in message. Your muse sure has you working endlessly my friend. Continued success in your writing Bob. I definitely am a fan.

[Bob B]

Thank you, Carlos. I keep thinking I'm going to take a break, but then I get inspired to write another. LOL.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You keep writing because I'm a fan of your content my friend. I hope you never run out of art to share. You have a keen wit and mind. Thank you for always giving this community wonderful art to read.