A Musing

I got talking to this elderly guy fishing at the end of the dock. He had caught a little rock cod and says that he sometimes does quite good. I've been thinking about doing some fishing myself, have bought a license, but have never been quite organized with the gear prior to going out. However, I've been reading the book Through Black Spruce written by Joseph Boyden. The character Will talks about not wanting to kill anymore, it was "...the night of not shooting the bear." He had lost his "...his taste for killing..." when previously he had worked as a guide for fisherman and hunters. I might think a bit more about whether I will do some fishing or not.

But even more interesting was his empathy for this old bear - the one he didn't shoot. Will didn't think this old bear would make it throught the next winter as it couldn't see, had no teeth, and probably was not able to get food. Will left him hams and other food. When he talks about how the old bear needs to be treated with kindness, he says "But she is not long for this world. I'd want someone to do the same for me." This has got me thinking about our dog Kato, and the battles he and I have had over the years. I can't believe how nice I've been to him lately, in a way like Will and the old bear. Maybe, just maybe, he has been thinking the same thing about me. (That Greig is looking older these days so I should be a little gentler on him.)

I haven't finished the book but I wonder if the bear still has a role to play in the story.