At a fork in a river lived an old man wizened, bent and grey.

Each morning the man tied new flies with which to attract his prey.

Every day at noon he began to fish, his pole of bamboo throwing line.

He walked and stalked looking for a fish who had made him a promise divine.

When the man was young he landed a trout beneath an ancient tree.

The trout spoke with a deep dead voice “young man make a deal with me.

If you can catch me again I’ll grant you health, wealth and a perfect wife,

But this task you must complete within 50 years or else you forfeit your life.”

The young man considered a moment and said “trout the deal is made”

And thus the young man began to fish decade after decade.

He sold his home, quit his job, built a cabin on the rivers edge.

He made a small living as a guide hoping the trout would keep his pledge.

On the last day of the 50th year he went fishing with a smile on his face.

The river was cool, the fish he did fool, but of the trout there was no trace.

On the first day of the 51st year he went fishing like any other day.

He cast out his line, on a day so divine, he fished until the light faded away.

On the very last cast the trout came at last saying “the devil has made you a fool”

The old man smiled and said with glee “devil you have not made me your tool.

I have spent every day fishing time away, not another care on my mind.”

The demon fish with a quick swish jumped becoming a man looking resigned.

“Listen old man you have wasted your life, you accomplished nothing of report”

The old man laughed “devil you are daft, I have brought joy on this river” the retort.

“I gladly this day give my life away knowing I fished for 50 years straight”

The devil enraged at being upstaged said “I take your life see you at the gate”

The man fell dead a smile on his head, floating down the river saying adieu.

The man then awoke seeing Jesus who spoke “I was a fisherman too.”