2
An Angler’s Splashy Catch
A Bright Morning
The sun rose gently over the misty hills of Mutlu, casting golden light on the coffee plantations. Bopu, wearing his red shirt and blue shorts, whistled cheerfully. His best friend, Bollu, wagged his tail wildly, asking for some adventure. “Let’s go fishing, Bollu!” Bopu said, grabbing two long bamboo sticks. Bollu barked excitedly and spun in circles, already imagining splashes and slippery things. Before they left, Grandfather appeared on the porch. He had one wooden prosthetic leg and the sharp eyes of an ex-army man. “Wait, boy,” he said, sitting down and helping Bopu tie the hook to the string with steady fingers. “Strong knot, or no fish!” Bopu watched in awe. “You’re the best, Ajja!” With a wink and a nod, Grandfather sent them off. They marched through narrow paths between coffee plantations stitched with pepper vines and paddy fields, heading toward their favorite natural stream at the edge of the valley. The morning was filled with promise, and adventure was just beginning.
The Earthworm Struggle
Reaching the stream, Bopu realized something important. “Uh-oh, Bollu… we forgot to bring bait!” They both stared at the soft ground near the roots of a jackfruit tree. “Let’s dig for earthworms,” Bopu said, rolling up his sleeves like a true fisherman. Bopu started digging, but the only thing he pulled up was a wriggly centipede that made him yell, “Yikes!” and jump back. Bollu barked in panic and leapt straight into a mud puddle, splashing Bopu. “Now we’re both muddy and still wormless,” Bopu groaned, shaking mud off his face. Bollu sniffed around and suddenly started digging furiously near a rock. He barked proudly, tail wagging, and revealed—not worms—but Bopu’s missing socks from last week! Bopu burst out laughing. “Wrong treasure, buddy!” They finally spotted some slimy worms near the edge of the water, wriggling in the moist soil.
The First Catch (Sort of)
With their worm-bait ready, Bopu set the hook, dropped the line into the water, and sat back on a warm rock. Bollu lay beside him, tail thumping lazily, eyes watching the stream’s gentle flow. They waited. And waited. And yawned. Suddenly, the stick twitched! Bopu jumped up and pulled hard. Out flew… a very angry crab, straight at his face! Bopu screamed and ducked. The crab landed on Bollu’s head like a spiky hat. Bollu barked and ran in wild circles trying to shake it off, making Bopu laugh until he fell backwards into the stream. The crab finally flew off and plopped back into the water with a splash. Both friends ended up tumbling into the shallow stream, soaked and laughing. “Well, Bollu… that was not a fish, but it sure an awesome catch.”
The Big Surprise
After drying off a bit in the sun, Bopu cast the line again with fresh bait. Just when they thought it would be another crab, the bamboo stick bent sharply like a bow! “Bollu! Hold the back end!” Bopu shouted, eyes wide. Bollu bit the bottom of the stick and growled like a soldier pulling a rope in tug-of-war. Together, they wrestled with the line as it pulled hard toward the deep pool. SPLASH! A giant Mahseer fish burst out of the water, scales gleaming in the sun. It landed right into a shallow pool. Bopu dove and grabbed it with both hands. It slipped and flopped. Bollu lunged and caught it by the tail! They both held on tight, muddy, soaked, but full of joy. Victory danced in their eyes as they also caught three smaller fish in the next hour.
Back Home with the Catch
With their bucket full of fish and clothes full of mud, they walked back through the coffee estate trails. Grandma saw them from the verandah and gasped, “Ayyo! Did you fight a buffalo?” “No, just a fish,” Bopu grinned, showing her the big catch with pride. They washed up and handed the catch to Grandma, who started preparing a delicious fish fry. Bollu sniffed the air and drooled at the scent of turmeric and curry leaves. Kaveri, their neighborhood friend, sneaked in and secretly stole one small fish from the basket. “For my cat!” she whispered. Bollu growled softly in protest. But when Kaveri tossed him a juicy chicken bone, Bollu forgave her with a tail wag. That evening, they sat around the fire, enjoying the meal, laughter echoing into the Coorg night. Bopu whispered, “Best fishing day ever.” Bollu wagged his tail in agreement, already dreaming of their next wild adventure.