奇速英语

It was difficult not to see the 8-year-old boy run in and out of his house repeatedly. His repeated actions caused the curiosity of his neighbor, William Dunn.

“He said he didn’t have a father,” says Dunn, now aged 58. “And I realized that there might be something I could do to help him.”

That “something” was fishing, a hobby that Dunn’s father had once shared with him. He did it at once. After fishing together several times, Dunn saw encouraging changes in the boy’s behavior.

That was 16 years ago. Since then, Dunn has taken groups of fatherless kids fishing almost every weekend, teaching them how to set up a fishing line and bring in a big catch.

“They’ve been through a lot, and their lives have been challenging,” Dunn explains. “But when they’re fishing, all those pains disappear. On the boat, they laugh, smile, and make new friends. I knew I was onto something special.”

Jayden, now 23, has become a fisherman and thanks Dunn for helping him grow up. He proudly mentions catching a shark with Dunn’s help, “I hope he knows that I mean it when I say thank you.”

Another girl, 21-year-old Bella Smith, who is in a foster(抚养) program for young adults, notes that Dunn pays special attention to self-respect and spiritual strength. “When I’m fishing, I can forget about the past and enjoy something fun,” says Bella Smith. “Fishing has taught me that I can have a better life than what I had. Whenever I feel down, I know it’s time to go fishing.”

“There’s nothing like feeling the first pull on the line and seeing a kid’s face light up with a smile,” Dunn adds. “I feel lucky to witness that every weekend.”