Treasures of a Privateer

About the Book

This book is not really about pirates. The colorful cover illustrates the theme—a collection of treasures for the whole family. Swash-buckling pirates, although actually short-lived in the history of our nation, have played a romantic role in literature, radio and television, so that when pirates are mentioned or pictured, the theme is an attention-getter, especially to children and the young at heart.

The book opens with “The Notorious Pirate,” a sea chantey, and is followed by stories about the author’s adventures with a wide array of wildlife, from stray ducks to killer whales, as well as “The Storm,” a great sea story. Also, parts of this book are lively poems to be read aloud for young children. All together, this is a book of fun for the entire family to enjoy.

About the Author

Story telling has always been a part of AJ Fisher’s interest. When he was a young boy, his father entertained his two young sons and their mother by telling them stories at the supper table after they finished the meal. While Mrs. Fisher cleared the table and dried the dishes, Mr. Fisher told them of his early life, of his father and grandfather, with a touch of humor now and then.

For fifteen years, AJ was a pastor and evangelist. That the children might think that they were a part of the worship service, AJ would have all the youngsters, twelve and under, come to the front of the sanctuary before he gave the morning sermon. He would leave the platform and go down among the children, talk to them a bit, and then tell them a bible story, using his imagination some, without changing the basic truth.

He was popular during summer camps for boys aged nine to twelve. The other counselors wondered how come his cabin was always so quiet, just a few minutes after the boys went in for the night. The secret was that AJ promised them a story if they would shower and quickly climb into their bunks. He told them Mother Goose stories, using the voice of a duck or goat, or whatever animal he chose to replace the human voice. The boys were immediately ready for sleep. Next morning they all wash quickly and took a determined jog, ending at the dining room. After a hearty breakfast, off for activities. They never walked anywhere; they always ran, with AJ in the lead. When they entered any contest, whether it be baseball, races, or what have you, they won. Why? From day one they were rested, well nourished, in condition, and worked as a team with a good attitude.

When evangelizing, AJ often was quest speaker for the children during vacation Bible school. He would do ventriloquism and simple magic tricks. He did chalk artistry as part of the evening service and often gave scriptural paraphrase readings, or sang a solo after the drawing. He gave the drawing to the adult or child who brought the most visitors.

After fifteen years in the Christian ministry, AJ worked for two years in child welfare with the state of Washington Social and Welfare Services, the forerunner for DSHS, followed by six years as a consultant with the Governor’s Council on Aging, and then served as the Lead Program Development Specialist in Washington, D.C. for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

AJ Fisher was married for 62 years before his wife, Mona, Passed away. They had two sons and a daughter. AJ now has three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who call him, “G G Pa.”

When he retired, AJ drove a school bus for six years. Children? Yes, he still loves them.