The Fish Bowl

The Story of the Fish Bowl


I happily raised my hand when Sister Mary Angelena
wanted to know if anyone in our 2nd grade class
had a large fish bowl at home. She wished she could have
a fish bowl in our room so that we could learn about
the swimming and eating habits of goldfish
It would sit on a table at the back of the room -
a table reserved exclusively for nature - replacing
the Barn Owl that we had learned all about
(he was stuffed, of course).

And so I hurried home to tell my parents all about
the new plan for our 2nd grade room. My father,
impressed with my precociousness, allowed our fish
to be transferred to the bathtub, in their own "fish"water,
along with the little sandstone castle and artificial greenery.
The operation was fascinating to me and to the three gold fish;
they, well one of them, flipped upside down
and my father uttered a swear word
while we prayed to St Anthony for forgiveness.

The Beautiful Glass Fish Bowl was washed and dried
and wrapped in many sheets of paper to protect it during
the walk to my school. We took turns, my sister Marion and I,
carrying the fish bowl. Sister Mary Angelena was waiting
at the entrance of the school. She seemed anxious but happy
to retrieve the bowl from our small selves.

Everyone gathered around while the fish bowl was placed
on the table at the back of the room. Five gold fish
that had been brought to school by another opportunistic student,
along with fish food and red stone-like castles
and bridges for the fish to hide in, and green shrubs
and a few colorful marbles. We took turns arranging things
and then watched proudly while Sister Mary Angelena
placed the five squirming fish safely in their new home.
It was all so Wonderful!

And so each morning we marched back to the fish bowl
to feed and observe the behavior of the gold fish.
We all had assignments for individual feedings.
We tapped on the bowl when we sprinkled in the fish food.
We were learning all about Nature, we said to one another.

Meanwhile my father had bought a new fish bowl
and our own fish were finally out of the bathtub.
My mother was firm about that!

Everyone was impressed with the
Beautiful Round Glass Fish Bowl.