I lost him.”
The two sat in silence, the quiet ripple of the pond their only company. Adam didn’t know what to say, but his heart ached for the man. Finally, he said, “I think your son is watching you now, hoping you’ll catch a big one.
You just have to keep trying.”
The man’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Thank you, son. You remind me so much of him.”
Just then, one of the rods jerked violently.
Both of them scrambled to grab it, laughing as they lost their balance and tumbled into the water. Together, they managed to haul in a massive fish, their laughter ringing out as they celebrated.
“Today is the day!” the man exclaimed, holding up the fish triumphantly. For the first time, Adam saw peace on his face.
When they returned to the trailer, the man rested his hand on Adam’s shoulder.
“Thank you for today. You gave me something I thought I’d lost forever.”
The next morning, a knock at the trailer door startled Adam. A man in a suit stood there, holding an envelope.
“Are you Adam?” the man asked.
“I’m Mr. Johnson, Mr. Thompson’s assistant.
He wanted me to deliver this to you.”
Confused, Adam took the envelope and opened it. Inside was a handwritten letter and a check. His breath caught as he saw the amount—it was more money than he’d ever dreamed of.
The letter read:
Dear Adam,
I didn’t tell you everything yesterday.
I have a heart condition, and my time is limited. Spending that day with you felt like I was reliving a memory with my son, something I thought I’d never experience again. You brought joy back into my life, and I wanted to give you something in return.
Use this money to take care of your mom and build a better life. Never stop dreaming.
Adam’s hands trembled as he read the words. He showed the letter and check to his mother, who was too stunned to speak.
The money was enough to cover her medical expenses, move them out of the trailer, and start anew.
Months later, they had settled into a cozy house in a quiet neighborhood. Adam’s mom was undergoing treatment and feeling better every day. For the first time in his life, Adam had his own room—a space he never thought he’d have.
One afternoon, a package arrived.
Inside was a photograph of Mr. Thompson and his son, both beaming as they stood by the fishing pond. Beneath it was a note:
Thank you, Adam.
You gave an old man his happiest day.
Over the years, Adam carried Mr. Thompson’s words in his heart. Whenever life became challenging, he thought back to that day by the pond—a day when kindness and hope changed everything.
