The locals of Whitehorse, Yukon, have some fascinating and unique pastimes.

Our tour guide on the S. S. Klondike shared with us that she used to go “gull fishing”. She would attach a piece of bread to the hook of a fishing pole, and when the hapless gulls came in for a handout, they would find themselves with a hook firmly attached in their throats.

“What did you do then?” I asked.

The response shocked me: “I would use it as a kite!”

You may think this is a bit lugubrious, and I would wholeheartedly agree. Before I could judge her however, memories of my own experiences with gulls, back in my younger days, returned to haunt me.

I was picnicking with some friends in Annecy, France, and we were seated on a bench overlooking its beautiful lake. Naturally a few of these two-winged beggars dropped in. They stared at us with their droopy, hungry eyes, and I just couldn’t resist. I had just covered my bread with my favorite spread, Dijon mustard, and I tore off a mustard-covered corner and threw it at him. The mustard didn’t seem to phase the gull at all, however, for without hesitation he gobbled it down, never flinching to the spicy condiments. In fact, he returned to beg for more! Wow. I had finally met a living being that liked spicy food as much as I do!

In retrospective I realize that I should have taken the time to remove that spicy mustard from the bread. It could have hurt the poor bird’s metabolism, and instead of giving him a treat, I would have been a sadist. I would have been no better than the S. S. Klondike tour guide of Whitehorse!

It’s easy to point the finger and tell people they are wrong, but are we, in all reality, any better? “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12 NIV)

As I was thinking about all of this, my conscience took me one step farther: I might not have practiced any gull fishing or kiting in my day, but I have hurt people with my words and actions more times than I care to admit.

It is said: “Stick and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I have seen many kids being hurt by sticks, stones, fists, feet and other instruments of brutality, but in all honesty, the incident is forgotten by the next day (except for the cuts and bruises and the possible medical bills!). However, I have seen kids marked for life by nasty words. Nasty words are like the bait attached to a fishing pole that will transform the innocent recipient into a ghostly kite for life.

Remember Jesus’ own words: “Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matt 12:36-37 The Message)

Let’s choose to speak life to our fellow human beings!

What kind of fishing is your specialty?

Rob Chaffart