Lala had always been a curious little soul, brimming with energy and an eagerness to explore the world around her. But today was different. Today was about stillness, patience, and peace. CEO Kien, her gentle and wise companion, had invited her on a special outing—something calm and refreshing—her very first fishing trip.
The morning started with a soft breeze and golden rays peeking through the clouds. Kien arrived at the garden house wearing his usual warm smile, a wide-brimmed straw hat in hand and a small cooler filled with snacks and drinks. Lala’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he held up a tiny pink fishing rod just for her.
“Today, Lala,” Kien said softly, crouching to meet her eyes, “we’re going to do something special. Just you and me. No rush, no noise—just the river, the trees, and a little patience.”
Lala clapped her hands in excitement, her tail swishing with joy. She’d never been fishing before, but the way Kien described it sounded magical.
They took the short ride to a quiet countryside lake that Kien had discovered years ago. It wasn’t a place tourists came to—it was a secret haven where time felt slower and the only sounds were the chirping of birds, the croaking of frogs, and the soft splash of fish dancing beneath the surface.
As they walked along the bank, Lala paused to take everything in. The scent of the water, the shimmer of dragonflies, and the tall reeds gently swaying made it feel like they had entered another world.
Kien set down their basket and opened a small folding chair for Lala, just her size. Next to it, he placed a blanket and a few of her favorite snacks: diced melons, banana slices, and a little tub of yogurt. For himself, he had packed a simple sandwich and iced tea.
“Before we fish,” Kien said, “let’s just breathe.”
They sat side by side on the wooden dock, feet dangling over the edge. Kien showed her how to hold the rod, how to cast it gently, and how to feel for a nibble. Lala listened closely, imitating his movements with concentration. Her small hands gripped the rod, and her eyes were glued to the bobber floating on the water’s surface.
For the first time in a long while, Lala didn’t feel the need to run around or make noise. She was mesmerized by the stillness, the calm. A dragonfly landed on her finger and rested there as if even it knew this moment was special.
“Fishing isn’t just about catching fish,” Kien said as he sipped his tea. “It’s about learning to wait. To listen. To be one with the water.”
Lala nodded thoughtfully, her eyes still fixed on the bobber. The soft breeze rustled her hair and carried the scent of wildflowers. She let out a long sigh—not from boredom, but from peace.
Suddenly, her bobber twitched.
Kien leaned forward. “Steady… just wait a bit more…”
The bobber dipped under the surface, and Lala’s eyes widened. She tugged the rod gently, just like Kien had taught her, and to her delight, she felt a tug back.
“You’ve got one!” Kien exclaimed with a proud grin.
Lala giggled in disbelief as she reeled in her very first catch—a small silver fish that sparkled in the sunlight. Kien carefully helped her unhook it, showed her how to gently hold it, and together they admired its beauty.
“Should we let it go?” he asked.
Lala nodded. “Let it go.”
She watched as the little fish swam back into the water, free and fast. Her face beamed with pride and wonder.
The rest of the morning drifted by like a dream. They didn’t catch many more fish, but it didn’t matter. They took breaks to snack, to watch clouds, and to dip their toes in the cool water. At one point, Kien dozed off under a tree, and Lala lay beside him, listening to the heartbeat of the earth.
When he woke, Kien found Lala sketching in the dirt with a stick—drawing fish, birds, and trees from memory.
“You like it here, don’t you?” he asked.
Lala nodded. “It’s quiet. But happy.”
Kien chuckled. “That’s exactly why I come here. The world is loud. But here, we can hear ourselves think.”
Before packing up, Kien brought out a small wooden plaque from his bag. On it, he had engraved: “Lala’s First Fishing Trip – A Day of Peace and Wonder”. He handed it to her like a treasure.
“This is to remember today,” he said.
Lala hugged him tightly.
On their way back, the sun was already dipping lower in the sky, casting golden reflections on the water. Lala leaned against Kien in the truck, tired but content. She didn’t speak much, but her silence was full of thoughts, memories, and new dreams.
When they arrived home, Lala placed the plaque on her little shelf above her bed. She stared at it for a while before crawling under her blanket. Her mind replayed the quiet moments, the soft wind, the tug of the fish on her line, and Kien’s warm voice.
That night, as the stars blinked above, Lala slept deeper than she had in weeks. She didn’t dream of wild adventures or silly games—she dreamed of water, of stillness, and of silver fish darting through sunlit ripples.
And from that day forward, whenever life got too noisy, Lala would ask Kien with a gentle smile, “Can we go fishing again?”
Because sometimes, the most beautiful memories are made not with loud excitement, but with quiet joy—and the love of someone who knows how to share it.
