The Girt Pike (Storycuts‪)‬

11-year-old Robert is asked by the beautiful Mrs. Rendall to catch the infamous 'Girt Pike' from her pond. Too poor to buy the appropriate fishing rod for the daunting task, Robert fashions his own, proving to himself, Mrs. Rendall and the rest of the village that he is capable of anything. However, it is not all happy endings . . .

Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Notwithstanding.