Sentence:  Without exception Hino 's brothers turned to either one or both of their father 's occupations , but Hino showed a talent for neither and instead spent most of his time on the beach where he repaired nets and proved immensely <WSD>popular</WSD> as a storyteller . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public