"Heave!" cried the fishermen, and the net came up an inch. "Heave!" It came up another inch. It was the heaviest net any of them had ever pulled.
"Feel that!" shouted one. "We have caught the whole sea!" They stamped their boots and slapped each other on the back, and they danced until the boat rocked.
"Heave!" They dragged the net to the shore. "Heave!" They pulled it up the wet beach and tipped it out.
Sand. Stones. Stones and sand, and a few thin fish flapping on top.
Nobody danced now. Some of the men sat down on the beach and held their heads in their hands. It was not only the lost catch that hurt. It was how sure they had been.
An old man looked at the stones, and then at his friends. "Let us stop crying, my mates," he said. "Sorrow is the twin sister of joy. A moment ago we were dancing. We should have known that something sad was coming next."
Good times and bad times take turns.
One thing to talk aboutWhat helps you feel better when something goes wrong after a happy moment?
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Discussion questions
- Did the fishermen do anything wrong by dancing before they saw what was in the net?
- The old man says "Sorrow is the twin sister of joy." What do you think he means?
- Do the old man's words help his friends on the beach, or would you say something else?
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