October 14, 2007

The Fish Whisperer

Maybe we'll look back on this day and realize this was the moment #2 was set on the path to his career as a... koi pond cleaner? animal rights activist? public defender? It certainly won't involve the Pro Bass Fisherman's Tour....

He was at a birthday party, swimming with some friends, when the hostess of the shindig tossed a bunch of goldfish and some paper cups into the pool -- "It's a game! Catch as many as you can!" Being 10 year olds, they dove and lunged and splashed, except for my son: instantly concerned for the health and safety of the fish, he yelled at his friends to stop playing and get the fish out of the pool quickly. After a brief argument in front of shocked adults, he went and got a cup of fresh water and his friends helped him get the fish out of the chlorine/boy-filled water. None required mouth-to-gill, and the party continued.

So... now we have a family of fish, from all appearances happy and content, in a nice bowl on the toilet bowl tank. They'll probably be belly-up in the morning, but they'll go to goldfish heaven knowing a boy with a good heart cared for them.


p.s. Said son also recommended "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" for TeacherDad's next book review, so I'll be checking that one out tonight....

3 comments:

twobuyfour said...

I don't think most people put goldfish as high on the "swerve-with-your-car-when-you-see-one-in-the-road" list as deer or dogs, but what brainiac sadistic parent decides to kill a bunch of them as a party treat? What's next, bobbing for kittens? Pin the tail on the dog? Target shooting for neighborhood pets gone astray?

Kudos to your son. Has he read Get Fuzzy last week and this?

Mr. Nauton said...

I won't let him read Get Fuzzy because I was tired of making up explanations for the ones i didn't understand...

And, sadly but inevitably, the fish are dead.

Sam said...

I am sorry to hear that the fish are dead. But kudos to your son - he is clearly going to be vet!! Most suitable for your retirement funds!