breaking over the hills that closed in the Lake of
Galilee on the east. Fog was thick over the water, but the fishermen in
the two boats that lay a short distance from the shore knew the sun had
risen, for the mist was full of white light. Between the boats was a
great net, partly under water. The fishermen, two in each boat, were
pulling the opposite edges over the side into the bottom of their boats.
Their breath hung in the chilly air. Andrew had returned to Galilee
after his trip to Judea and was working with his brother, Simon.

"I wouldn't mind hard work if we could catch fish," remarked Simon,
resting a moment.

"We'll soon see what we've caught," replied Andrew. The net was almost
gathered in.

"It won't be much," grunted Simon, bending to his work again. After a
few minutes the boats lay side by side, the nets heaped high in them.

"I have fished in this lake all my life," remarked James, the brother of
John, "and so has my father, Zebedee, but I have never seen so few fish
for a night's work!"

Andrew felt as disgusted as Simon and James, but all he said was, "Let's
go ashore."

James and Andrew guided the boats toward the spot where Zebedee had
built a fire of thorn twigs. The men jumped out and crowded around the
crackling flames. Zebedee had chosen several fish for their breakfast.
He raked some hot coals from the fire and laid the fish among them. They
smelled good to the hungry men. This was the best time of the
fishermen's day. Hard work was done. The fire was warm. The thought of
food gave them a good feeling.

"Father, why is fishing so poor this year?" asked John.

"I don't know, son," replied Zebedee. "Some years there are enough fish
for all Galilee and Judea. But in years like this, the people of the
five cities on our lake go hungry." He was thinking of times past. "If
the wheat crop is poor in Galilee, there may be riots."

"That would only make matters worse," commented Simon.

"Yes, unless King Herod has improved lately." Zebedee smiled sourly. "I
think that foreigner actually enjoys killing. How he loves our money! If
riots come, we are sure to be taxed even more." He took two of the fish
off the coals and laid them on a smooth rock. When they were cool
enough, he picked them up. "Breakfast is ready," he said. The men rose
and bowed their heads, while the older man prayed.

"Praise ye the Lord.
I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart,
In the council of