The Dead Fish Society :: Personal Narrative Essays

The Dead angle Society   It was a dark and stormy day. It the first day of class and Bletchley Boys School - a school rich in tradition, and rich in the traditional sense. I will never forget my first year at that school, for I met a teacher who changed my life forever. His name was John Flounder. He taught poesy - a class that was not exactly the most macho class, moreover one that was required.   I sat in the classroom of Poetry hundred and one wondering what I was doing there. I looked around at the 30 otherwise pimply faced boys who sat wondering the same thing. We were rich, we would be successful, and cryptograph ever needed poetry while holding a mesa meeting. I would soon change my mind.   He entered the classroom through the figurehead door, whistling a song vaguely familiar - the theme to The Andy Griffith Show. I would later learn that its real title was The Fishing Hole. He strolled through the class and out the back door. As we sat in wonder, he pop ped his head back in and said Well, come on, then. We followed him out into the hall.   Men, I want to read something to you, he said. I gaze upon the still waters,  my bull ruffles in the quiet breeze,  the worm in my fingers squirms to be free,  he does not like the hook.    O worm, how many of those like me,  didst thou consume beforehand today ?  a long dead fisherman perhaps ar you ?  to help me with my task.   Flounder looked up for a moment and then at us. What does this mean to you men ? he asked. After a moment of in all blank stares he continued, the author is trying to give you a core - Carpe Piscus. Do any of you know what that means ?   Ralph Finkel did. Ralph always knew. It means Seize the Fish   Yes Seize the Fish It means that life is too short to clear your time in school. Go fishing, my boy Look at the faces in these pictures, he said as he pointed to one of the many pictures in the display case. these ar e young men just like you. plenty you hear them calling out ? They are saying Carpe Piscus - Seize the Fish.