Story Assignment

Rough Story:

It was still dark when Rusty Fisherkatt arrived at the lake in the morning. Rusty brought his fishing gear to the edge of the lake, ready for a new day. He squinted his eyes as he scanned the lake for the best spot to set up at. On the other side of the lake a sudden fishtail popped up above the water and then sank back in. That was it! Rusty grabbed all his fishing gear and hurried to the opposite side. He sighed with content as he put down his stuff at the spot of the day. A brilliant light cast across the lake as the sun began to peak over the horizon. The sunlight cast beautiful warm colors of orange and yellow on the rippling waters. It was time to start fishing. Rusty stretched and exercised his paws; he didn't use a fishing pole, but rather his paws.
The Fisherkatt family was known for their skilled use of fishing with their paws and claws. It was such a specialized skill that no other family was able to reach the ability of theirs, which basically gave them a permanent seat in the market. Rusty felt blessed for the passed down technique, but knew that he too had to pass on the skill to a young kit. But to what kit? Rusty hadn't married and he was certain it wouldn't happen anytime soon. Rusty didn't go out much unless it was for fishing. As Rusty calmly began to fish by sticking his paws into the water, he heard a car pull up near him. Confused, since barely any cat would come to this lake besides him, he turned around to see who it was.
It was his sister, Kathy, whom never wanted to take up a career in fishing; she decided to work in the city in an office job. She smiled brightly at Rusty and waved through the window. She got out of the car and walked straight towards Rusty, clothed in a dress suit. She seemed to be holding something behind her back. She pulls out a tiny, young kit from behind. His coat was a light gray and his eyes were wide with excitement. Rusty stared at the kit with confusion, until he realized he recognized the little face from pictures. It was Kathy's son, or in other words, his nephew. Kathy gave Rusty a large, yet nervous smile and then immediately rushed to her car and sped away. Rusty blinked at the car disappearing into the distance and looked down at the curious little kit. Dusty gave Rusty a big grin from ear to ear that looked just like his mother's.
Rusty shrugged and went on with fishing. He didn't have much experience taking care of kits, and just figured that Kathy left him here until she got off work. Dusty poked Rusty with a look on his face that screamed, "I want to fish too!" Rusty sighed. So this was Kathy's plan. Well, Rusty had nothing to lose anyways. And he needed to pass the skill onto some cat. Rusty spent half of the day teaching Dusty the ways of the Fisherkatts. Dusty was very eager to keep learning. When it was finally time for Dusty to catch his own fish, he suddenly leaped head on into the water! Rusty frantically looked for Dusty in the water, hoping he wouldn't drown. Suddenly, a little gray head popped out of the water. Dusty looked proud holding a large fish in his mouth. Rusty was outraged; he definitely did not teach Dusty any of that behavior. Rusty proceeded to scold the young kit and had him do it again.
Each time Dusty kept jumping in the water, always laughing. It was like a fish you couldn't keep out of the sea. Rusty couldn't take it anymore. If Dusty could not respect his teachings then he would teach him no more. He yelled harshly at Dusty, whom responded with lowered ears and a crouched down stance. Dusty closed his eyes in fear and suddenly ran off in the distance, never looking back.
Rusty watched his little form disappear into some trees. Rusty scratched the back of his head. Oops. Rusty sighed. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. He'll never be able to pass on the skill to another. Maybe he wasn't a good teacher.

The next morning Rusty arrived early like always, ready to start fishing. What Rusty did not expect was there to be another cat already at the lake before he was. Rusty was baffled. Who found out about this lake?! Only the Fisherkatts knew of this secret location. As Rusty rushed over to the lake, he realized it was little Dusty. Dusty was fishing properly with his paws, just as Rusty taught him. Rusty approached him and patted Dusty on the head. Dusty looked up at the old cat and weakly smiled. He only wanted to make Rusty proud of him.
This made Rusty feel weak in the knees. He squatted down next to Dusty with his head down. He felt ashamed. How could he have done this to the young kit? He was only trying to have fun with it. Rusty shook his head, knowing what to do. He suddenly sprang up and dove straight into the water. Dusty looked at Rusty like he had gone crazy. Rusty laughed and gestured for Dusty to follow. The huge grin finally appeared again on Dusty's face. He could hardly contain his excitement. He quickly jumped into the water right into Dusty. Dusty grabbed the kit and put him on his shoulders. The two laughed together and had more fun than Rusty had ever had in his entire life.

Outline:

Act One:
- Rusty setting up at the lake as the sun rises
- Rusty beginning to fish with his paws
- Car pulls up onto lakeside right behind Rusty
- Rusty turns around to see his sister Kathy
- Kathy pulls Dusty from behind her
- Kathy hurries to her car and zooms off
- Rusty and Dusty stare at each other
- Dusty gives Rusty a big grin
- Rusty ignores him and continues to fish
- Dusty bothers Rusty because he wants to fish too
- Rusty shows Dusty how to fish with his paws

Act Two:
- Dusty ignores all of Rusty's teachings and just jumps into the water
- Dusty catches a fish in the water with his mouth
- Rusty is angered and scolds him
- Dusty keeps jumping into the water
- Rusty outright hollers at Dusty in anger
- Dusty, scared, runs away from the lake
- Rusty looks sad, ashamed of yelling at a kit

Act Three:
- Next day, Rusty goes to the lake sorrowfully
- Rusty discovers another cat is there
- Surprised and irritated that another cat is there, Rusty runs to see who it is
- Dusty is the cat, and is seen fishing with his paws
- Dusty turns around and gives Rusty a sad smile
- Rusty watches him, feeling awful
- A sudden rush of adrenaline had Rusty jump straight into the lake
- Dusty, frantic, looked at Rusty like he was crazy
- Rusty laughs and gestures for Dusty to come in
- The big grin reappears on Dusty's face
- Dusty jumps into the water right on top of Rusty
- The two emerge from the water with Dusty riding on Rusty's shoulders
- The two laugh together, having fun