Suppose that, some weeks later, the owner of a sporting goods shop opens sale on fishing equipment. A contest for all fishermen and their wives is to be held at a local lake. Experts in the art of casting will be present to demonstrate how to use the different pieces of tackle. You will doubt that you should go, but at his insistence, graciously give in.
Dressed in your most becoming slacks and shirt, arrive with your spouse at the lake where the water is calm and beautiful. Already several couples will be there, some of them seasoned veterans of the rod and reel. Handsome young men will display all kinds of fishing tackle – you never knew it took so many different things to catch fish. Out in the water at spaced intervals you will see targets; some red, some white, others blue, each target counting different numbers of points. Not much enthusiasm will be shown by the girls, but the men are in their glory. The contest for the gentlemen will be held first because the ladies will without doubt knock all the targets out of the water.
Some of the girls will need a bit of persuasion to enter, but you must not hesitate even a fraction of a second. One of the young casting experts approaches with a long flexible rod equipped with a handsome reel and a practice plug. Glance over to your Dreamboat and see, as he rocks back and forth on this feet,m the smug look on his face that says he knows what a perfect idiot you are going to make of yourself. The quiet assurance with which the nice fellow hands you the equipment will give you that old I’ll-show-you feeling. Flex the pliable rod, feel an unexpected new thrill, and be glad you came.
The instructor, talking to you, shows you how to test the plug for weight, and how to adjust the tensions. That should be easy; you’ve done that many times on your sewing machine. Next he shows how to make the cast. Hold the rod at exactly the right angle; here – with the wrist perfectly flexible. Use the wrist – not the whole arm. Cast from the wrist and hit the center of the red target. Using the wrist will come naturally; high school typing and piano lessons taught that. Make several imaginary casts, then close your eyes, turn the plug loose and thumb the reel when you think the timing is right. Oops, the wrist must have been a bit stiff; the practice plug is floating serenely in the center of the white target. A quick glance over to the right will reveal the smug look to have changed to a self-satisfied grin. But there is no time to glare at him.
The instructor smilingly congratulates you on hitting the second-high target. With that grin still burning into your back, a fiendish thought comes to you. With a helpless gesture and what you hope is a sweet innocent smile, look up to the instructor with a please-show-me-again appeal. It is against the rules, but – well, ok, if you want to lose the points you gained on the first cast. Watch closely while he executes a perfect cast into the high target.
Tell him you still don’t quite understand it. Ask him to stand back of you, please and show you just how to hold the rod.
Be assured he will catch on. Stepping back of you and obligingly placing both arms around you, he bends your arm to the right angle to show you the precise flick of the wrist to make the most points. With a melting thank-you, step out of the circle of his arms and the first trial can land squarely in the middle of the high target. By all means, do not at this time look in the direction of your Master Mind. All your scheming and work will go to naught if he so much as suspects your purpose. You know the disbelief and chagrin that has replaced the smirk of a few seconds ago.
From here on out, the show will be yours. You may end the contest at second place, being defeated by only a woman of wide fishing experience. THAT you won’t mind. Your first casting is another step toward victory, and your success and prizes of fishing tackle were brought about by the sense of humor that all wives who are learning the art – from hubby-must have.
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