Doc’s Day Off: Fishy Business!
Dr. Archibald Perkins, known to everyone as Doc, decided he needed a day off. “Just a little fishing,” he mumbled, grabbing his battered tackle box and heading to the local pond. He’d heard Old Man Fitzwilliam bragging about the monster catfish lurking there.
He arrived, baited his hook with a suspiciously glowing worm (leftover from his nephew’s science project), and cast his line. Minutes stretched into an hour. Still nothing.
“Blast it all!” Doc muttered to a passing duck. “This is worse than Mrs. Higgins’ persistent cough.”
Suddenly, the line yanked violently. Doc, startled, nearly fell in. He gripped the rod, reeling with all his might. The fish fought back, pulling him closer and closer to the water’s edge.
“I’ve got you now, you slippery devil!” Doc grunted.
Finally, he landed his prize. It wasn’t a catfish. It wasn’t even a normal fish. It was a bright pink rubber duck, tangled in his line.
Doc stared, dumbfounded. Old Man Fitzwilliam strolled up, chuckling. “Catch anything, Doc?”
Doc held up the duck. “The biggest, pinkest, quackiest fish I’ve ever seen.”
Fitzwilliam wiped a tear from his eye. “Ah, that’s Doris. She escaped from my granddaughter’s bath last week. Always knew she’d turn up eventually. Guess I owe you a fish story, Doc. But more importantly, I owe you five bucks. My granddaughter offered that for its safe return.”
