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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-09-25, Page 50i : a,4! FIsH':y by Rachel Cop. Goldfarb y son won a•goldfish with two 25 -cent tickets at a fair last week. His good fortune cost me $21.49, a large hunk of self-respect, several nights' sleep, and a substantial portion of my future peace of mind. It all started innocently enough when my dimple- cheeked cherub plunked a ping pong ball into a bowl of blue water at a local school carnival. His eyes sparkled as if he had just been presented with the keys to a chocolate factory. He tenderly cradled his little goldfish.(within its plastic bubble), making polite conversation in an effort to get to know his new pet. He turned and fondled the tiny staring creature until I was sure its eyes crossed. We lunched out after the fair, and guess who sat, drawing curious stares from our fellow diners, on our table as we gobbled our burgers (no one had the heart to order fish fillet). Before we could take the little guy home, we needed to purchase a few basics for his comfort. The aquarium store stocked (and advised us to take home) a bag of glistening blue gravel, de -chlorinator for the nasty faucet water, a large crystal bowl to serve as his palace, a ceramic pagoda for recreation and aesthetics, and three playmates. Supplies and additional fish in hand, we completed the trek to a home we had decided to share with four other living creatures. We assembled the goodies and settled the little critters into their comfy aquatic domain. Naming the fish was an exercise in self -degradation. After suggesting about 97 names for each of the fish, I came up with one name which didn't embarrass my children. I named mine Gill, in recognition of one of his most prominent features. My son named his fish Friendly, because he was; my daughter named hers Bubbles because she occasionally blew one. My husband named his fish Oil, since the little guy was black and gold (and black gold. is, of course, oil.) Sto y All was lovely fora time. Each morning our offspring checked the bowl and engaged in patter with their pets. They faithfully fed, cleaned and exercised the scaly beings, exhibiting responsibility their father and I were delighted to witness. But then the dreaded moment arrived. A panicked little boy appeared at my elbow early one morning, moaning, "Mommy, Friendly won't move!" I questioned him about Friendly's physical position and determined that the fish had left his life. (He was floating at the top of the water on his side). He was deftly deposited in a flushing grave and all attention turned to my despondent son. He had thrown his head down on his fleshy arms at the kitchen table and was sobbing big moans for his lost friend. No amount of assurance that I could give him that Friendly had not suffered woiild quiet his pitiful pain. He finally collected himself and prepared for school. On his way out, he asked me to dispose of the goldfish -shaped Cheddar cheese crackers in our pantry because they reminded him of his recent loss. Well, the package was new, but 1 tried to be compassionate. I tossed the box out but put the munchies into a plastic container. More death followed. That afternoon, Gill and Oil were in a similar position and condition to that of Friendly's that very morning. They joined him in his fate, leaving only Bubbles to swim around the roomy bowl. Three days later, Bubbles bit the dust. Her demise left our daughter no less broken up than our son, who had just learned to smile again after the earlier tragedy of his loss. She cried and questioned why her fish had to die, too. With no answers to offer, I could only hug her until she was all cried out. A couple of weeks have passed since our family suffered the four deaths. The place is quieter, without the young fish racing around their bowl, and sadder for me, having witnessed the loss of my children's naivete. They no longer expect everyone to live fore'er. CARPET PRICE FOR 7 HRS. ONLY EVERY SO. YD. IN STOCK HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY CUT IN PRICE FOR IMMEDIATE CLEARANCE PAY O MONTHS NO INTEREST (MIN. *750. 14 DOWN) CLOSED m SAT. SUM. 10.5 TERMS: CASH CHEQUE, VISA MASTERCARD 6 MONTH NO INT. Wolllneton Rd. south of 401. Phone 4141212. 1986 MAGNIFICENT maza VEHICLES ARE ARRIVING! STYLE - VALUE - DEPENDABILITY 626 - 323 - RX7 and B2000 TRUCKS 1 (626 & 323 IN STOCK NOW!) Buy or Lease - We Deliver A Good Deal More PROBART MAZDA MOTORS LTD. 1.29$ Florence St. (West of Highbury) LONDON 453-9775 OPEN SAT. 10-5