The Case of the Boy and the Fish | Teen Ink

The Case of the Boy and the Fish

August 10, 2009
By Jennax3 SILVER, Palos Verdes Estates, California
Jennax3 SILVER, Palos Verdes Estates, California
6 articles 0 photos 113 comments

The iridescent image of the annual county carnival vanished from the rear-view mirror as the gray subcompact careened down the highway. In the back seat was a boy; four days past his sixth birthday, a grin smothered across his face, a clenched grip on an inflated plastic bag. Triumph at the beanbag toss had bestowed upon him a goldfish, a creature he had so emphatically desired.

The boy’s blatant delight at his prize did not subside during the journey home. On the arrival of the fish at its new residence, the boy poured the creature into a glass bowl and positioned it adjacent to a formidable blockade of toy racecars and emerald army men. Propping himself onto a creaky chair and pressing his nose against the crystal, his chestnut eyes gazed at the tiny life; its scales were the hue of burnt orange. Each flick of the tail was noted with adoration, for the boy had been blessed with this marvelous companion!

Supper was served to the boy; he would not stray from the bowl. "Drink all your orange juice," said the mother, "There are healthy vitamins inside." He gulped down the juice yet paused to peer at the fish’s beady eyes. "You need some vitamins too," the boy declared to the fish. So down went the remaining citrus liquid to the depths of the dish. A rusty orange tint permeated the bowl at a remarkable speed as the boy, in satisfaction, observed his generous deed.


And at the fluorescent dawn of the day, the fish (poor soul!) passed away.


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This article has 7 comments.


Yoodle15 said...
on Nov. 11 2009 at 12:05 pm
Your short story is lovely! <3 Love the colourful language to describe the spark of childhood naiveness! =) Oooh, the ending was the best part of it all, so ironically funny!! Poor fishy!! =P

on Aug. 24 2009 at 9:09 pm
TheUnknownGuest GOLD, Woodbridge, Virginia
14 articles 4 photos 110 comments

Favorite Quote:
I can&#039;t remember it clearly, but it went something like this:<br /> <br /> &quot;The past is the past, the future is the furture. But now, now is like a gift, which is why it is called present.&quot;

I loved it! It wasn't expected. (at least not to me) Awesome job and keep up the great work!!

on Aug. 21 2009 at 7:10 pm
Inkspired PLATINUM, Whitby, Other
26 articles 0 photos 493 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If one will scoff at the study of language, how, save in terms of language, will one scoff?&quot; - Mario Pei<br /> &quot;I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn&#039;t, I would die.&quot; Isaac Asimov

This is sweet, cheerful, and sad. Really well written. To me, the last line is the most poetry-like. Great job!

Jennax3 SILVER said...
on Aug. 19 2009 at 3:14 pm
Jennax3 SILVER, Palos Verdes Estates, California
6 articles 0 photos 113 comments
Thank you... this is actually a prose poem, but there isn't a section for that on here.

on Aug. 19 2009 at 2:22 pm
Meredith Munro SILVER, Spring Lake, New Jersey
9 articles 0 photos 12 comments
Great imagery. This story is so sweet and truly captures the image of childhood innocence and naivety. Awesome!

LIKEwhoaa GOLD said...
on Aug. 18 2009 at 7:23 pm
LIKEwhoaa GOLD, Carrollton, Texas
13 articles 0 photos 126 comments

Favorite Quote:
The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.<br /> -Charles DuBois

heyy, thanks for commenting on my stuff:)



i love this poem, its really sweet and kindof sad at the end...but its really good

GREAT job



<3

on Aug. 18 2009 at 7:20 pm
carolinesell PLATINUM, Cedar Falls, Iowa
28 articles 0 photos 42 comments
first of all, i would like to say thank you for commenting on my work!!! :)

second, i love this!!! it's like a really short story. you're so good at creating an image-a scene that the reader can truly understand.

you've done a great job!!! :)