What do we fish when we fish

The first rule of hunting, the Falcon told Akapat, is not to kill another being for fun.

Akapat stood in the river with water up to his knees. The falcon was perched on his right shoulder .

Then, the falcon continued its instructions, you must become the river, one with its flow, one with its voice.

I quite didn’t get you! Akapat told the Falcon.

I expected as much, the Falcon said with no emotions in its voice.

Focus is the key to success, he continued. When you are flying thousands of feet above the river, you cannot look for a fish. It is impossible. Rather you look at the river and focus on the rhythm of its flow. You focus so intently and deeply that your mind becomes one with the river. And then, you can feel every ripple and every fold in the river right here in your mind. The falcon pecked at Akapat’s head.

How do you get the fish then, Akapat asked impatiently.

It doesn’t happens so quickly my boy. The Falcon continued. You need a lot of persistence. The fishes moving in water cause a break in the flow of the water, which, travels up to the surface as a wave. When that ripple breaks on the surface it can be felt in the mind.

There are so many fishes and there would be so many ripples, how do you know which one to follow, Akapat asked.

That is why you should be one with the river. It tells you which one to follow. The Falcon replied. Then all you have to do is flow along.

How do you know that when you have to strike. Akapat was curious.

One step at a time, my boy, one step at a time, the Falcon advised. Now just close your eyes and follow the river.

Akapat closed his eyes. For a moment he was dazzled by the darkness, then the light began to emerge from within. He heard the river flowing around him, he heard the wind rustle the leaves, he heard the occasional croaking of a frog at some distance, he even heard the rhythmic breathing of the tiger …

What do you hear, the Falcon whispered.

A lot of noises around me. Akapat answered.

You must only hear the river, the Falcon said. Now let’s try again.

Akapat looked around. The tiger was dozing in the sun with the snake between his paws. He took a sigh of relief.

you still don’t trust me don’t you, the Falcon remarked. The first rule of learning is unflinching faith on your teacher.

i am sorry, but how do you know? Akapat was amazed at the falcons ability to read his mind.

Once i sat on your shoulder boy, I became one with your mind. I can feel each of your nerve talking to your muscles. The falcon replied. Now focus on the river please.

Akapat closed his eyes and concentrated his mind on the flow of the river. Soon he got lost in the din again. He heard the sound of the flowing water and the tiger snorting. He heard the wind rustling and distant baying of a hyena. His muscles twitched..

Don’t worry about the hyena, the falcon instructed. Just be with the river.

Akapat focused again and again

Don’t push yourself into the focus. The Falcon guided him. I have told you to get lost into the flow. Don’t resist thoughts, don’t contest ideas, just let yourself loose with the flow of the water.

Akapat, once again heard the river. And, as the noises in the background faded he heard the river louder and louder. Then everything went blank. He felt he was the river. He lost the track of time and space and did not even notice that the falcon flew from his shoulder, circled for a while and returned to his shoulder.

Slowly open your eyes now, Akapat felt that he heard the Falcon in his mind. He opens his eyes and noticed that the Falcon was perched on the left shoulder. When did you…

It doesn’t matter, the Falcon cut him short, what matters is that you made considerable progress. Now tell me what did you feel.

I felt that i was the water, and i was the river weeds. I was the countless fishes swimming in all random direction and i was the stone which was impeding the flow.

That is wonderful. The tiger spoke with admiration. You are so lucky cub, i would have never been able to teach you that.

It is your teaching tiger, the Falcon said, that he was able to reach so far in so less time. Humans are too restless to achieve this.

But we still are hungry, the snakes said. We have not learned to catch the fish.

Ignore him, the falcon told Akapat and focus on the river again. This time start with a thanks giving. Thank the river for providing you food and bless the fishes for being one. Then when you are one with the river, identify the fish you want to eat. Choose neither too old or two young, not too slow nor too fast as they are diseased, or spawning, and be one with it. Follow it up to the surface and when it is in your reach, easily extend your palm and grab it. Now let’s try.

Akapat said a small prayer and focused on the river. Soon he found himself one with the flow. He scanned the water for finding a suitable fish. He found one at the bottom of the river. It swam opposite to the flow of the water. He became one with it and followed it upstream till it became tired and rose to the surface. Akapat followed it and when it was about to break to surface he lunged and grabbed the fish. The fish senses the movement and turned away and Akapat splashed in the water face down.

He recollected himself and stood again. The falcon which was circling over his head came back and perched on his shoulder.

This is how you hunt on land cub, the tiger said. Water is a totally different ballgame.

You did well boy, the Falcon said. Two more things you need to know is the direction of the sun, that casts shadows in the water. The fish should be completely in your shadow that she does not notices the movement. And you have to be deliberate and slow. Let the fish swim in your hand and settle down. You don’t have talons, so you can’t grab it. Your grip he said easing his grip on his shoulders, should be firm enough to hold but not too tight to let it slip away. Let’s try again.

Akapat positioned him in the shadow of a big tree and focused. At the bottom of the river he found a well sized fish which was merrily swimming with the flow. He became one with it. He felt a warm rush of liberty in his spine. No rush, no fear but a warm flow of life. He felt music as its fins flapped and dance as he moved its body. Gently, Akapat extended his arm into the water and opened his palm. The fish came and settled on it. Synchronized with the rhythm of its body and fins, he let his fingers encircle him and then he pulled his hand out. The fish struggled in his grip.

Tears were streaming down his eyes.

….