The impatient knocking grew louder on Matthew’s bedroom door. He rolled over and checked his alarm clock. It was 6:00 A.M. on Saturday morning.
Matthew groaned as he got out of bed and groggily opened the door. Steve, his big brother, was already dressed in jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. Matthew could tell that he was annoyed and wanted to get going.
“Get dressed quickly,” Steve told him, “or we’ll be late. Trout don’t bite all morning!”
Steve was taking Matthew trout fishing for the first time. Steve had just gotten some new fishing gear, and he was excited to teach Matthew how to trout fish.
They walked along a trail in the woods. The sun was just rising, and Matthew could smell pine needles in the morning air. Steve carried a tackle box and two fishing rods while Matthew carried a small cooler. The trail ended at a ledge overlooking a wide stream. Everything was quiet except for the sound of the water rushing over rocks. Morning dew glistened on green leaves overhead.
Steve began setting up his fishing gear. When he was done, he handed one of the fishing rods to Matthew. “Want me to show you how to cast?” he asked. “It’s a little tricky.”
Before Matthew could answer, Steve climbed down the ledge. He stood on a large boulder and moved the rod over his head and behind him. “See, it’s like this,” he called back to Matthew, bending his elbow. “It goes behind your head and then forward. It’s like serving in tennis.”
Suddenly Steve slipped, and before Matthew knew what was happening, Steve fell into the stream.
Matthew slid down the ledge into the water. The stream was cold and almost up to his neck. He made his way around the boulder and saw Steve hanging onto another smaller rock. He looked scared.
“Grab my hand!” he told Steve. “I won’t let you go. I promise.” Steve took hold of Matthew’s hand. Slowly but surely, Matthew pulled his big brother to safety.
“That was close,” Steve said when they were back on land. “I’m glad you came with me. Thanks!”
“No problem,” Matthew told him, letting out a heavy sigh. “That’s what little brothers are for.”