A Fish Called Ray

 

Inspired by a friend whose apartment I usually take care for when he is on vacation and who has several most beautiful aquariums, at certain point last year i decided to have my own aquarium. It serves as a fulfilment of the need for the pet but without necessary mess of ether dog or cat. Initially I bought a small, 30 litre aquarium that made me very happy but eventually moved my fishes to much bigger, new home that gives them proper space. The old, small aquarium is now at my work where I still fuss over it, with new fishes there. 

I am naturally most attached to the first fishies that I got. At this point I have a dozen fishes and each of them was carefully selected by their gender and colour - so I can easily tell them apart and recognise who is who. Some, like my namesake, even grew and changed their colouring. My all-time favourite is the prettiest little bright orange boy whom I called Ray and who had his own, lovely personality. When Ray and his two buddies were transferred into a new, big aquarium, they were initially always swimming together in their little group because they were scared of this large new space - later I bought them several female "wives" and watched with amusement when Ray would follow them and puff himself up to look bigger, he is just the most adorable little fish boy. He would also always react when I would come near the tank and beg for the food. I always made sure that fishes are well fed, the water changed and was constantly fussing over the plants, decorations, etc. It would make me very happy to see my aquarium pretty and fishes inside swimming up and down, playing with each other.

Sadly, Ray has died yesterday. He was perfectly fine in the morning but was lying on the bottom of aquarium in the evening when the automatic light comes on and I usually give them food. I was affected much more than I expected and even cried - I am still crying as I write this - I placed him gently in a paper tissue and buried him on the bottom of a flower pot, I think this was nicest thing i could have done. I have no idea why exactly he has died, since all the other fishes are perfectly fine and the quality of the water is regularly tested, perhaps it was just his time (they apparently live just a short little lives). 

To some, the grief I feel for my little fish friend might seem exaggerated - but it made me think that this is exactly why as a species we are so unique. We are not just going trough life hunting for food and shelter, we react and the way we react on things around us is what makes our lives so rich and unique. It is because we are moved by the joy of love, friendship and company that we are humans. I always cried when my pets would die and little Ray deserves my affections since he gave me lots of joy and beauty, on my side I am satisfied that I gave him a beautiful home with enough space and plants, so surely he was a lucky little guy. Come to think fo it, my fishes have nobody else but me so yes, I do care about them and love them. We might be just a tiny ripple in time but its because we share this love and affection, it makes it all worth and special. One day my time will also come and I hope that someone will  miss me.