National Adult Literacy Database

January 30, 2006

Here is Tony's story from Rabbittown Learners' Program, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Happiest Time For Me

by Tony R.

The happiest time of my life was when I was fishing. I used to be up at three o'clock in the morning. I would fish all day until seven or eight o'clock in the evenings. I'd come home and get my supper and get ready then for the next morning. When daylight comes we would get ready to go out and haul the cod traps. We would make two trips for the morning and each time have a full load of fish. By the time you would get that all cleared away it would be time to go to bed. You would make a fresh start in the morning for the lobster pots. Hauling lobster pots is hard work because you got to clean them out and rebait them. It can be dangerous out in the boat. You have to watch the weather and don't go out on the water when there is a gale of wind. Instead stay home and mend some fishing gear.

I gave up fishing when I was 38 years old. Fish and lobsters were scarce. Then after I went to work repairing gear lockers. I worked on that for 9-10 weeks until I got my stamps. After that I drew my unemployment and when that ended I went on social services. I got a call from H.R.D.C to apply for a job. The job was for a carpenter and maintenance repair. They asked me what grade I had and I told them that I only had grade 3. They told me there were other options. I asked them what and they said go back to school. I told them that I would think about it but I didn't want to go to school in Placentia. I told them I'd go in St John's. A couple of days after that I got a call. They were sending me off to the Rabbittown Learners Program.

I'm here now going in my second year and I love it.