A fishy tale
By mychal wilmes
Date Modified: 10/13/2009 12:02 PM
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This is a fish story -- not a fish tale. There is a difference. Stories are true. Tales are about the fish that "we had up to the boat but it got away and it was this....long. Only the story teller knows the real truth about it.
What began as a normal day turned out to be quite interesting. I visited a neighboring town and was accompanied by six-year-old granddaughters Abigail and Elizabeth. They soon tired of the stores I had planned to stop at. When asked what they would like to do, their response was unanimous, "Can we go to the pet shop."
It was a favorite place they never seemed to tire of. They ran from cage to cage to watch the various small creatures. I also knew what to expect next from them. "Grandma, can we buy something?''
"No, no and no.''
Neither their parents nor us wanted to have a hamster, a gerbil, or any other fury animal no matter how cute they are.
As we headed toward the section of the aquariums, they pleaded, "Please, can't we even get some fish?'' I had secretly decided that this might be possible. Several days before, I had purchased a barrel container for our backyard. It would be used as a flower planter. It could double nicely as a home for fish.
We left the pet shop with three fish. I was, however, apprehensive. Previous experiences with fish haven't been too good. Every child begs for fish. What begins as a small project grows into a bigger project.
What was supposed to be a children's project soon turned into a "mom" project. From a small bowl that seemed like it was always dirty to a large aquarium -- the results were the same. Tears fell when one fish slipped away or a favorite-colored fish was found floating on top of the tank with its soul fish-heaven bound.
The second-hand fish tank we purchased for a modest price was surely going to stay clean and the fish healthy and alive. The aerator, plus a few other things, didn't work, which meant that it was just a bigger fish tank to clean. It left our house after Sammy and Serena died.
The girls were excited about the prospect of fish and took turns all the way home holding the bag of water they were in. Wanting to do things just right, I emptied the contents into a bowl in the house, hoping the fish would adjust to atmosphere and water temperatures before moving them to their new home outdoors in the barrel.
Knowing the girls wouldn't leave them out of their sight, I set the bowl on the kitchen floor for easier viewing, but with instructions not to touch them. Soon I heard screams. "Grandma, come quick. There's a fish on the floor!''
It seems fish don't do well outside of water -- at least not tiny ones. Two fish were taken to the pond outside, ready for them with water lilies to beautify it. The plan was for grandma to feed them, except on days when the little visitors came. All went well for a short time. But after one particular visit, only one live fish remained.
Do you suppose they were over-fed? However, the pond eventually again had three fish when new ones were added.
As fall approached, it was decided the fish should be indoors and live at the girls' home, which delighted them. It also was about this time that the little girls talked their mom and dad into getting a puppy. With this addition, the fish weren't getting much attention and soon moved to Grandma Little's house to be put in a fish tank there.
To date, the two remaining fish have gone to fish heaven. Teddy, the puppy, is doing well and hasn't chewed up too many things. Grandma's barrel outside has dirt and flowers planted in it, the use for which it was intended. Planting occurred after squirrels managed to climb up the side of the barrel and demolish their water lilies.
All are happy with the changes.