The Fishing Lesson

K-Gr 2—In this tale adapted from a Böll's short story, a tourist awakens a napping fisherman by snapping pictures and wonders why he isn't going out to sea on such a fine day. The man tells him that he's already been out and caught enough fish to last him several days. Undeterred, the tourist urges him to go out several more times every day, in order to catch enough fish to buy a motorboat or two. These would increase his catches, allowing the fisherman to buy proper fishing boats, a warehouse, a smokehouse, and "even a canning factory." Eventually, the fisherman could even own a helicopter, dine in the finest restaurants, and finally have enough leisure to "take a nap in the sunshine, or just enjoy the magnificent view!" Which is precisely what the fisherman was doing when the tourist arrived. The flat cartoon illustrations appear in panels as well as full spreads, with much of the dialogue in speech bubbles as in graphic novels. This lesson that wealth and material objects aren't necessary for happiness is delivered with lighthearted humor that youngsters are sure to get and enjoy.