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Our uncle was a silent man, much given to fishing; and it was one of the pleasures of our young life to live with him in the countryside.
I remember my first fishing experience clearly. I have been happy many times in my life, but never more strongly so than when I received that first fishing pole (鱼竿) from my uncle's hand. It was a still, sweet day of early summer.
My uncle, who knew the best place to catch pickerel (小梭鱼), placed me at the most favorable point. I threw out my line as I had so often seen others, and waited anxiously for a bite. Nothing came of it. "Try again," said my uncle. Suddenly the bait (鱼饵) sank out of sight. "Now for it," thought I, "here is a fish at last."
I made a strong pull, and brought up some plants. Again and again I threw out my line, but drew it back empty. "Try once more," he said, "we fishermen must have patience."
Suddenly something pulled my line, and swept off with it into deep water. Jerking it up, I saw a fine pickerel. "Uncle!" I cried, looking back in uncontrollable excitement, "I've got a fish!" "Not yet," said my uncle. As he spoke, the scared fish shot into the stream, my hook (鱼钩) hung empty from the line. I had lost my prize.
So, overcome with my great and bitter unsatisfactory, I sat down, and for a time refused to be comforted, even by my uncle's encouragement that there were more fish in the stream. He refitted my bait, and, putting the pole again in my hands, told me to try my luck once more.
"But remember, boy," he said with a smile, "never brag (炫耀) of catching a fish until he is on dry ground. I've seen older folks doing that in more ways than one, and so making fools of themselves.It's no use to brag of anything until it's done, nor then, either, for it speaks for itself."
How often since I have been reminded of the fish that I did not catch. When I hear people boasting of a work as yet undone, I call to mind that scene by the riverside, and the wise caution of my uncle: Never brag of your fish before you catch him.
