Fisherman

"earth"

- The Avatar disappeared for a hundred years. You turned your back on the world!

The old fisherman was a grumpy Earth Kingdom citizen who would risk fishing in extreme weather conditions to make his living.

History
Aang and the gang first saw the old fisherman and his wife at the dock, where she told her husband that a terrible storm was coming and it would be unsafe to go out fishing, which he chose to disbelieve. His wife said that she was not going with him and Sokka grabbed his chance, volunteered, and was hired on the spot.

The old fisherman noticed the unique markings on Aang's skin, and discovered that he was the Avatar. He blamed Aang for disappearing when he was needed most, and Aang was filled with guilt and sought solitude. Katara reprimanded the old man for his harsh words before she left to find Aang. He was angered by her "rude behavior".

Shortly after Sokka and the old fisherman set sail, they were caught up in the predicted storm. Aang and Katara, with Appa, found Sokka and the fisherman. They were quickly rescued when Aang tied a rope to them as Appa pulled them off the boat and into his saddle. Unfortunately, a wave caught them and they all sunk into the sea. Continuing to sink, Aang's Avatar State triggered and saved them all. He grabbed Appa's reins, created an air pocket around them, taking them to the surface. They returned to the cave that Aang had previously skulked off to after he was chastised by the old fisherman.

After returning in one piece, the fisherman's wife told her husband to apologize to Aang. The old fisherman asked if he could give him a free fish instead of an apology to call it even. Aang told him that he did not eat meat. With a little humor the old fisherman replied, "Fish ain't meat." Sokka was not as amused and asked if he was still going to get paid. Much to his dissatisfaction the only thing he got was a handful of fish. It is probable that he just pays his wife with food, so he did the same to Sokka. The fisherman then thanked Aang for saving his life and promised he would again trust the Avatar would in fact defeat Fire Lord Ozai, and bring balance to the world.

Relatives

 * Fisherman's wife (wife)