A storoem about whether it is worth saving a few out of hundreds. |
The rains had come inopportunely to flood the river during peak migration of salmon upstream to spawn. Routinely, yearly the salmon pass by without consternation. The flood had caused the river this year to leave its banks and spill across the highway and turn a pasture into a pond. It is clear the torrent of turgid waters caused the fish to stray. As waters receded, the elevated road became a dam. Now hundreds upon hundreds of these magnificent salmon are trapped – their fate the same. An inch of water still covers the road. Salmon seize this last chance to attempt to regain the river. So mightily they struggle, splashing, zig-zagging up the incline toward the road … but they never succeed, instead slide back exhausted, gasping. The pasture-side of the roadway is lined with desperate salmon unable to fulfill their rightful destiny. Along comes a young couple to find their plight. Soon salmon are being carried to where they can swim back to the river to resume their journey. Laughing, getting wet, the two teens are transporting wiggling fish after fish, ‘til they consume the afternoon. A TV news crew arrives and asks mean- spirited questions. ”Do you think your efforts are worthwhile? You can’t save enough to matter.” The teenagers are a sight – soaked to the bone, bedraggled, tired. But then the girl smiles. “We’re doing what’s right! Because of it, I’ll sleep better tonight.” Please check out my ten books: http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 |