By the Enchantment of the Pike…

By the pikes command

Gillian had been an avid angler ever since she was a teenager, and even after she retired she spent every spare moment by the river, rod in hand. Her husband, Nicholas, still worked as a coach at the local junior sports academy in Yorkshire. He was a respected trainer; his pupils had brought fame to their little school with victories that echoed across the county. As a loving husband he, too, would have liked to sit beside Gillian for hours, watching the waters gentle shimmer, but his schedule left little room for such leisure.

Training sessions, competitions and the endless stream of meetings filled his days. By the time the new retirement rules kicked in, he could only escape to the river on weekends. Gillian understood this perfectly and always supported him. One Saturday, however, they decided to fish together. The nation was under lockdown, and the children were learning from home. Nicholas, lighthearted, gathered his fishing gear, helped Gillian into the car, and whisked along his two young grandchildren, Sam and Eve (their older grandson, Tom, had finished college and was now a civildefence officer). They drove out of the culdesac, where a neighbours boy, Kieran, watched them go with a mixture of disappointment and curiosity. He was the same age as Sam and Eve and often spent his afternoons at his grandmothers house, since his own parents worked long hours.

Nicholas slowed the car, rolled down his window, and called out, Kieran, fancy joining us for a day on the water?

Kierans eyes lit up. Just a sec, Ill ask Gran, he sprinted back home. Within a minute, his grandmother, Valentina, appeared at the doorway. Youre inviting him, are you? she asked.

Of course, Nicholas replied.

Hurrah! the grandchildren shouted from the back seat.

In a flurry, Kieran tugged his cap lower, wrapped a scarf around his neck, slipped on his gloves and hopped into the back seat beside his cousins.

They drove to the familiar bend where the Bykes family always fished. The Bykes knew the rivers secrets: it was home to pikelarge, fat pike. Nicholas set a small fire on the bank so the kids could warm their hands. Gillian settled onto a folding stool with her rod, while Nicholas lingered a little distance away so as not to disturb each others lines. They were using live baittiny minnows. Gillian kept her eyes on the float, but she also glanced sideways at the children to make sure they stayed out of trouble.

While Sam and Eve played hideandseek and tag, Gillian felt the float dip. She steadied the rod, reeling gently. Within half an hour a sleek pike broke the surface, twirled in the air and, with a deft flick of Gillians wrist, landed in her bucket.

The first ones in, she said, smiling. She baited another hook and cast again. The youngsters, meanwhile, drew a makeshift football goal in the sand and began a lively game of onegoal soccer. Their laughter rose above the gentle lapping of the water.

The line tugged once more. Gillians heart quickened; she felt the exhilarating pull of the hunt. A second, even larger pike followed, its gleaming scales promising a hearty dinner. By the time the kids raced back, three pike swam in the bucket, shimmering in the sunlight.

Whats that? A pike? whispered Kieran.

Yes! The very fish that grants wishes, Gillian replied with a twinkle in her eye.

Really? Sam and Eve chorused. What should we wish for?

Maybe that the buckets would walk home on their own, giggled Gillian, slipping another minnow onto the hook.

No! That would be boring, sighed Sam.

Gillian cast the line again. Then perhaps the princess will fall in love with you, just like in the old tales, she said, nudging the magic of the moment.

Can I wish too? Kieran asked shyly.

Of course, Gillian encouraged.

Kieran made a solemn face, cupped a pike in his hands and whispered something into its gills. The fish flapped, burst back into the water and vanished with a flash. The children cheered, clutching their slippery prizes, and the pikes brief appearance seemed to fulfill every secret hope.

Gillian laughed, waving her hands. By the pikes command, by my desire, may the fish grant every wish my grandchildren have whispered! She turned to Kieran, who stared wideeyed at her. And you, Kieran, too!

Later, Nicholas approached his wife, noticing the empty bucket, and asked, No bite?

She shrugged philosophically. Just keep doing good and throw it into the water.

On the drive home the children grew sleepy. Nicholas carried the exhausted Kieran in his arms, handing him to Valentina, who tucked the boy into her lap. The grandchildren sagged in their seats, yawning.

Granddad, what did we wish for? they asked.

Kieran asked for a granddad, Valentina whispered, so keep it a secret or it wont happen.

That night Gillian lay beside her husband, hugging his warm shoulder. Its a pity for Kieran. He doesnt have a granddad, a phone, or a computerjust a longing for a present.

Nicholas sighed, Im trying to be there for him, but Im not his real grandfather.

A month later, as Christmas approached, the town square was lit with a towering fir, garlands twinkling, and snow covering roofs and pathways. The local schools rehearsed festive plays. Kieran seemed unusually quiet. Valentina, checking his temperature, mentioned that he had a bad cough and a sore throathardly the time for celebration.

Nicholas understood at once: the boy needed a grandfather figure. He fished for an idea, and it came suddenly. He dialed his old university mate, Boris, a fellow PE teacher who lived about a hundred miles away in a nearby town.

Boris, Ive got a situation, Nicholas began. A lad here has no granddad. His grandma raised him alone, and the boys father vanished long ago.

Boris, who had no grandchildren of his own, replied, I could help. Im already dressing up as Father Christmas for school events. I could visit once a year, bring gifts, and be the granddad he dreams of.

Boris discussed the plan with his wife Vera, who was ever ready for a good cause. Well be the Bykes for a day, she said, laughing, and Ill wear the Snow Maidens costume.

Meanwhile, Nicholass son Michael, a former university athlete turned professional bobsleigh racer, drove his sleek sedan back home for the holidays. He arrived just as the Bykes were preparing the house for the festive visit. At the gate, Valentina opened the door, eyes widening at the unexpected guests: Boris, dressed in a red suit with a white beard, and Vera, radiant in a silver Snow Maiden cloak, carrying a sack of presents and a box of iceskates.

Is this really for Kieran? Valentina asked, halfincredulous.

Exactly, Boris replied, smiling at the boys astonished face.

Kieran, clutching a small wooden carriage, stepped forward trembling. Granddad? he whispered.

Yes, lad, Boris said, kneeling to his level. Im here for you.

Kierans eyes filled with tears. Will you stay a while?

Of course, Boris answered, glancing at Vera, who nodded, her cheeks pink from the cold.

Soon the house buzzed with laughter. The children gathered around a steaming pot of fish stew Nicholas had prepared from the days catch. Valentina offered tea and ginger biscuits. The adults chatted, some still redeyed from the winter chill, while the Snow Maiden gently coaxed the shy Michael into a dance, and Vera handed the newlygifted iceskates to Sam.

Later, as the fire crackled, Gillian asked, What was the third wish?

Eve, eyes sparkling, replied, I asked the pike for a sister, so Id have someone to play with.

The adults chuckled, the room full of warmth and contentment.

The year turned, and on New Years Eve a familiar Jeep pulled up to Valentinas cottage. Michael stepped out, helping Kat, his sisterinlaw, unload a beautifully wrapped parcel. Kieran, now taller and confident, carried a small stroller, his baby sisternow named Gallynestled inside. She was named after the fisherman who had once caught the magical pike that granted their wishes.

As the night settled, the children hugged their new granddad, the adults toasted to unexpected blessings, and the snow fell silently on the rooftops. In the quiet after the celebrations, Gillian reflected on the days events.

She realized that true generosity, like the pikes fleeting flash, isnt about the wishes we make, but about the kindness we share and the love we give freely. And that, she thought, is the real magic of any story.