Eugene – A sad, little fish tale
Eugene was a large fish. He had survived to grow large by being cautious and clever. The other fish would dare to swim
into the middle of the pool, heedless of the dangers and dangers there were. Especially the fishermen. They would come with
their huge nets almost silent in their approach.
The net would hiss softly in the air. Most of the fish would dart to safety, but never all. Never all.
By word and example Eugene would counsel the others. He lived under the outcropping of the Great Rock. The nets were
unable to reach under it. He lived in absolute safety there. But most of the other fish wanted to live a different way.
“We like the freedom of swimming
where we want, when we want,” they would chorus as the school would flash into the middle of the pool. “Besides,
we’re fast, clever fish. When we see the shadows of the men with their nets, we will flee to the safety of the Great
Rock.
But Eugene
knew the danger in that. Most would find shelter as the shadows came. Most, but never all.
There was one persistent fisherman. He had come to the pool for many years. Eugene had come to his attention and he
fancied Eugene frying in his big, cast iron pan. He began to study Eugene and learn his ways. He realized over time that Eugene
would never stray out from under the outcropping of the Great Rock. The nets would never catch him. So the fisherman began
to arrive each morning with his fishing gear.
The dancing flies upon the water caused Eugene to turn away without interest. Next the fisherman used minnows. Eugene
like minnows, but was wary of a trap. Besides, all the minnows he wanted would find their way under the outcropping.
Day by day, lure by lure, the fisherman
sought to catch Eugene. Eugene was tempted sometimes, but would always hold fast. Sometimes the strain was such that a sigh
of bubbles would escape from him and float to the surface.
The day came when the fisherman used something new. Eugene tried to ignore it, but failed. He decided a closer look
couldn’t hurt, could it? So he swam to the edge of the shadow of the Great Rock for a better look.
It was a Red Wiggler. Eugene had seen many water creatures before. The tiny and tasty coal black crawfish, the silver
minnow and even multicolored dragonflies that sometimes sank to the bottom, but never anything like this.
And Eugene wanted it! This might be his only chance for the wonder of a Red Wiggler!
The other fish were never sure what Eugene was thinking that moment. Was it desire that overcame his caution? Or did
he decide he really was a fast, clever fish and that he could get the Red Wiggler and not the hook?
What they saw was clear. With a rush, Eugene was out from under the Great Rock and grabbed the Red Wiggler. The fisherman
snapped the line, setting the hook.
There was a great thrashing for many minutes, for Eugene was a large, strong fish. Later, that night, the fisherman
had a delicious fillet seasoned with lemon juice and pepper.
Scripture lesson:
James 1:14, 15 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed
(DELEAZU meaning “Bait”) by his own lust and when lust (EPITHUMIA “A craving for something”)
has conceived, to gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings death.”
A.T. Robertson, in his Word Pictures
of the New Testament says that these verses are best pictured like “…a fish drawn out from his retreat.”
