Mary decided she needed something new and different for a winter hobby. She went to the bookstore and bought every book she could find on ice fishing.

    For weeks she read and studied, hoping to become an expert in the field. Finally she decided she knew enough and out she went for her first ice fishing trip. She carefully gathered up and packed all the tools and equipment needed for the excursion. Each piece of equipment had its own special place in her kit. When she got to the ice, she found a quiet little area, placed her padded stool and carefully laid out her tools.

    Just as she was about to make her first cut into the ice, a booming voice from the sky bellowed, “There are no fish under the ice!!”

    Startled, Mary grabbed up all her belongings, moved further along the ice, poured some hot chocolate from her thermos, and started to cut a new hole. Again the voice from above bellowed, “There are no fish under the ice!!”

    Amazed, Mary was not quite sure what to do as this certainly was not covered in any of her books. She packed up her gear and moved to the far side of the ice. Once there, she stopped for a few moments to regain her calm. Then she was extremely careful to set everything up perfectly — tools in the right place, chair positioned just so. Just as she was about to cut this new hole, the voice came again.

    “There are no fish under the ice!!”

    Petrified, Mary looked skyward and asked, “Is that you, Lord?”

    The voice boomed back, “No. This is the manager of the skating rink!”