Cheese Curd for Bait explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Agriculture and Rural Economy

  The setting at a cheese factory and the use of cheese curd as bait highlight the agricultural and dairy economy of rural Ontario.

• Community and Social Gatherings

  The shared adventure of Podmore and Grant during their leisure time exemplifies the social bonding and communal activities in rural communities.

Characters to notice

• Mr. W. D. Grant

  Young Grant who courageously dives into the cold spring pond to retrieve the lost rod and lands a seven-pound trout.

Key passages

• “Cheese buyers in hours of leisure Combine business with pleasure, And when they wish to go abroad They take their gun and fishing rod.”

  During their free time, cheese buyers mix work with recreation, bringing along their guns and fishing rods when they venture out.

  Introduces the dual purpose of the buyers' outing—business and pleasure.

• “They baited hook with a piece of curd, And let the rod hang from the boat, While curd and hook on pond did float.”

  They used a piece of cheese curd as bait on their hook and let the rod dangle from the boat as the curd and hook floated on the pond.

  Describes the unconventional bait and the relaxed fishing method.

• “But the courage of young Grant, It did not for a moment daunt, Though rod it now is far beyond, He plunged into deep, cold spring pond.”

  Young Grant's bravery did not waver even for a second; although the rod was now far away, he dove into the deep, cold spring pond.

  Highlights Grant's boldness in retrieving the lost rod.

• “And seized his rod and then drew out A beauteous seven pound trout, Which had grown from the seed From spawn of California breed.”

  He grabbed his rod and pulled out a beautiful seven-pound trout, which had grown from eggs of a California breed.

  Reveals the surprising catch and its origin from California trout spawn.