‘That’ ‘Encounter with a Conger’

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 14

‘That’ ‘Encounter with a Conger’

By

ADAM BALLIN

aged nine of Christchurch Dad, I want that, No, I want that, Not that, That! See it now, that thing on the shelf, 0.K., I’ve made up my mind — that, 0.K., son, get that, Wait, I like that better. Look, son, have that, I think that is better. No! I want that, O.K. No, son, that or nothing. 0.K., I will have it, I like that better ...

By HESTER LEES-JEFFRIES, aged 12, of Heaton Intermediate The sea was calm,- the day was fine I grabbed my bait and fishing line I'm going fishing — wouldn’t you? The Gran decided to come too. The sea was calm, the day was hot I tied my line into a knot I say to Gran (in accents curt) “I love your lovely, fishing shirt.’’

We walk in silence to the boat With Grandma in it, will it float? She says “I’m sure I'll catch a fish. Cook it with lemon please — delish!” We row in silence from, the shore Her voice is grating more and We cast our lines into the sea. For once I wish I wasn’t me. There’s not a tug upon a line Oh yes, there is — guess what — it’s mine! I’ve caught a bunch of kelp — delish!

Cook it for me instead of fish. I’m slapping at a biting bug On Grandma’s line — a massive tug! A conger eel — Oh my Gawd! I thought that we were catching cod! This eel measures many feet Somehow, I don't want eel meat! “Alright,” she says “Please cut the line,” But save the sinker please — it's mine.” We’ve hit the eel upon the head

By rights, by now it should be dead Our conger — clubber breaks — Oh no! But now the line’s begun to go. The blasted line is cut at last Sigh with relief — the danger’s passed Then Grandma’s voice (the silly goat) “Let's tow it home behind the boat!” She’s sure that eel meat is good We tell her, we did all we could So home we row — it looks like rain We’ll not take Grandma again!