He brought the hose over and brought the water level up a few inches. Then he squatted down by the bucket and watched. The fish hung heavy in the water, spirit broken by his own unsuccessful struggles.

"I'm sorry, fish," Jimmy said. "Sort of wish now that I hadn't caught you."

"So let's see this monster!" His dad was walking up behind him. Jimmy heard the screen door slam. "Wow! That's some fish, son. That's one to be proud of, that's for sure."

"Dad, should I put it back?"