Once upon a time, a fish was swimming in the big sea.
She was alone, wandering around, and questioning about the size of the sea.
She was a very curious and intelligent fish, and was taking note of everything.
She had many friends among the many creatures of the sea, and was very appreciated for her humour and smartness.
She liked to venture in places where other fishes were not likely to go. Not for food, but simply for the sake of it.
But.
But she was not satisfied. She needed more.
So she ventured to explore.
Alone.
At the extreme end of a long wooden pier stood a fisherman.
He was sitting with his fishing rod in the hands, smoking his pipe, looking at the water and thinking. He liked to stay there, meditating, getting lost in remote fantasies and dreams.
He never caught any fish, but diligently prepared and did all things to be done.
Suddenly the float went underwater, and he gave a gentle pull.
He quickly understood he had a big prey, and was determined not to lose it. After some time, he managed to pull the big fish out of the water, and removed the hook from her lips.
He looked into the tired fish eyes for some moments, put her into his net, then put the net in the water, launched again his fishing line, and stood still, smiling. Something changed inside him.
He started thinking about the big fish, while looking at her swimming inside the net. He imagined her life, free, in the immense ocean. He tried actually to feel like the fish. And fantasized about this, constructing stories in his mind while the afternoon became evening. He took a nap too, and also the fish felt asleep. Maybe they met in their dreams.
Then the man touched the water with his hand. The fish was strangely calm and was waving her tail. Was she happy?
The evening set up with wonderful colors, while the sun was slowly sinking away in the sea. The sky was bright, and the first stars were starting to light as diamonds in the blue. The sea was calm and with slow waves.
With clear eyes and heart, the man then started speaking to the fish. "Oh dear Silver-Blue fish, you are so beutiful and pure. I want not to bring you home. You dont deserve my pan". "Why?", replied the fish. "If that is my destiny, let it be. I dont want to be alone. For my whole life i wandered in the sea. I think its a really rare chance that the two of us met, since I found nowhere someone like you".
"Neither i did", said the man, crying, "and you were my only capture in so many years. I desired to catch you for a long time. I know that i will badly miss you, but you have to be free." The fish was crying too. "I would like to stay with you. Now I am not alone anymore".
"We are rare and very similar but each of us has to have his own life. Our encounter was not by chance. Come on, dont refuse your freedom, wonder fish. You were free, and free have to be. Smile and be happy. You will for sure not be alone anymore. Maybe we will meet again." And saying that opened the net with trembling hands.
The fish was reluctant to swim away, and said: "Oh, dear fisherman. I am really happy to have met you. Not only you set me free, but you taught me something i will never forget."
"Dearest among all, unique, Silver-Blue Fish, you were the teacher. I am now a better man. I learned a lot of things from you. I too will never forget you." replied the fisherman.
Then the fish swam into the big sea, again free, wawing her tail. She was sad, but felt that she had to go.
The fisherman remained for some time on his seat at the end of the pier. His tears confused with the fine rain and lost into the sea. Then his pipe extinguished. He sighted. Finally darkness came. After a while, he stood up, packed his things, and went home.
On the way back, he was smiling.
Marco
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