Old Man’s Tale

By: Jim Smith& Emma Cartwright

July, 2011

When I was a young boy, I would take long strolls through the park, walking up and down the bridges and gazing into the water.

I used to sit on the benches by the lake and watch the waves roll in.

I also remember riding bikes along the paths.

I’d climb down the rocks to cast off.

A lot of my time was spent waiting for a bite off the pier.

Back in my day, we didn’t glide up and down the ramps of the skate park.

The flowers were in bloom and the leaves on the trees fluttered in the wind. That was the most beautiful time of year.

I repaired boats for a living, and on one exciting day, a client asked me to go out fishing with him and his friends. I brought my dog.

Our craft alighted from the shore, reaching top speed.

We sat out on the vessel, awaiting the arrival of a fish.

My client, who became a close friend, felt a strong pull on his pole. He reeled in at lighting speed.

Leaping up to see the what was happening, I rocked the boat.

My dog, Rufus, sprang from it. He was startled by the rocking of the boat. He kicked his muscular legs and aimed for shore.

We sped inland, almost crashing into a maroon buoy.

Clouds billowed, filled with the imminent rain of the day.

We came to an abrupt halt, approaching the rocks in the harbor.

Rufus sprang from the shallows of the harbor, soaked in the cold lake water. I met him at the dock. I was immediately relieved.

Strolling along the sunlit shore, I released the stress of the day.

The event reminded me of how precious life is.

THE END

Thank you to our sponsors!-Escanaba Chapter of the GFWC-Gladstone Kiwanis-Delta County Jaycees

The Snap Decisions Photojournalism Camp is a program of the Bonifas Arts Center.