An 11-year-old boy who skipped school after lunch to go fishing without permission was caught in the act by a policeman, who was alerted to look for him at his favorite fishing hole.
When the officer arrived at the scene on the Speed River, the shirtless boy was soaking wet with a huge smile and a huge fish he had just caught, despite breaking his new fishing rod.
“The officer took some time to patiently explain the importance of going to school; after all, even fish stay in schools!” the Guelph Police Service in Ontario, Canada, wrote in its humorous news release. “The boy was taken home and his mother told the officer that the boy loves fishing and the newly broken rod had been his birthday gift in July.”
That wasn’t the end of the story, however.
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The policeman went to the local tackle shop—the Hook Line and Sinker—and explained to the owner what had happened with the boy, whose identity remained anonymous.
The sympathetic tackle shop owner took pity on the kid and donated a new rod and reel for him.
“If you can think of a better gesture, let ‘minnow,’” the punny release stated. “Police never condone truancy but are happy that the boy will be able to continue to do what he loves.”
The officer delivered the new gear to the boy and now, as the Guelph Police put it, he’ll “o-fish’ally” be ready for the weekend.
Photo courtesy of the Guelph Police Service.
