Shillard's troubles at sea

hillard, Grandmaster fisherman, docked his empty boat on the eastern shores of Occlo and wearily dragged his way into Big Mama's Shoppe. When he encountered the owner of the shop, his famous cousin Saphireena, the red in his face deepened into a bright scarlett and his tanned hairy arms started swaying about in utter fury. "Unbelievable! Ridiculous! Treason!" Shillard growled, knowing his dear cousin would be always willing to hear about his troubles. "Shillard! Please calm down and tell me what's wrong!" Saphireena exclaimed. They sat down on the front steps of the shop and Shillard started telling his story, like a tangled ball of yarn, the story began to unravel.

"I remember growing up in the busy noisy streets of our great city, Britannia. I remember seeking escape from the chaotic crowds by strolling down to the docks to do some simple fishing. I'd listen to the elderly fisherman tell great tales of deep sea treasures, gold, jewels, magical items, paintings and lost treasure maps. Oh how I dreamt of some day owning my own boat so I could go sailing the seas, only to hear the sweet music of the waves swishing to and fro. No people, no yelling, no thieving, no fights. Just peace and quiet and the creatures of the sea as my spiritual companions. Most of all I dreamt of some day fishing up treasures of my own." "Yes Shillard, I know all this, I remember! Please go on and tell me what happened today!" begged Saphireena anxiously.

But Shillard insisted on continueing his story "Eventually my skill as a fisherman rose to such heights, and so many grilled fish steaks had been sold that I could afford my first boat. Oooooh twas grand the day that I set sail from the docks of Britain in my shiny new vessel! But I still had many sea serpents to battle, and millions of fish to be fished before I could even dream of seeing any treasure maps or MIBs. (Messages in Bottles which give you great treasures). It took me 2 months of fishing 6 hours a day until I reached Grandmaster Fisherman. Often times, I had been near insanity and those mundane moments of listening to *plop* *plop* *plop* were so torturous that I wish not such an experience even on my worst enemy!" "Oh I remember Shillard, you were not yourself at all during that period, it gives me the shivers when I remember the emptyness I saw in your eyes. You were like the living dead you were!" Saphireena slipped into her thoughts for a moment, then carried on:"But dear cousin, you finally did make Grand Master Fisherman! Aaaah remember how we celebrated till dawn, stuffing ourselves with fishsteaks and wine, and admiring that first MIB that you got the very same day?" "And twould not be my only MIB lass, I fished up hoardes of MIBs and treasure maps and earned us lots of gold to pay off our bills back then. Ah yes we were doing really well! But now I am afraid the good days are over Saph... After the gods summoned the sea serpents to guard the treasures at sea, I have not fished up a single thing! The first time I went fishing, this is what happened:"