10-Minute Writing Prompt: Fishing

Prompt: In ten minutes, write what you think is going on in this image.

My story:

Lisa had been so looking forward to going out on the boat and spending some quality time with her father. He was always going fishing on his own, and the two children were finally old enough to tag along. It had seemed such an exciting prospect when they got out to the water and carried the gear on board. Then, the process began.

“You just put the worm on the hook, and I’ll show you how to cast,” Dad said with a smile.

Lisa looked down at the squirming bait, disgust twisting her face. “Um, how?” she asked hesitantly.

“Like this!” Dad proudly demonstrated the act of impaling the living creature multiple times with the curved metal, to which Lisa let out a shriek.

“Stop!” she screamed, “you’re hurting it!”

Dad laughed, but the look on both children’s faces turned his amusement to frustration. “How do you think the fish gets caught, Lisa? What do you think the hook does?”

He handed the baited pole to her, then did the same for Benji’s. Before they could get any more worked up, Dad showed them how to cast the line. In turn, they each half-heartedly dropped their lines just below the surface, clearly hoping that no fish would be foolish enough to bite.

Benji leaned over to Lisa and asked in a whisper, “If I say I’m seasick, do you think we’ll be able to go home?”