What is the theme of "freeing the pike" short story by Richard Wagamese

Nature as beauty

Explanation:

In this story, the author narrated the story of a young boy who was drawn to nature and its beauty. He would often go to the river bank to meditate in the quieteness of the atmosphere. The young boy also told of an experience in the past when members of his family challenged him to catch a fish. Alone, he went to the river and successfully caught the fish but his love for the struggling fish that was about to lose its life, made him to send the fish back into its habitat.

The boy greatly treasured nature and this was in contrast to the people he lived with.