Fish Heaven

Fish Heaven

Bobby Winkle overheard his mother and father talking about his goldfish Alan, who was swimming upside down. His mother had gone inside his room to put a couple of his toys into the toy bend. She was surprised to see Alan floating on top of the water in his fishbowl. She called her husband into the room.

“Honey,” said Mommy. “I think something's wrong with the fish.”

“Yes, “said Dad. “He's dead.”

“Oh, no,” said Mommy. “What are we going to tell Bobby.”

What mom didn't know was Bobby was playing inside his closet with his Superman action figure toy. Bobby slowly opened up the door of his closet. He saw his mother and father staring at his goldfish inside his bowl.

“What's wrong with Alan?' asked Bobby. “I must've fed him too much.”

“No, Bobby,” said Dad. “He has died son.”

“What has died mean?” asked Bobby.

Bobby's dad paused for a minute. He wondered how he can explain to his six-year-old son the meaning of the word without making Bobby sad. His dad began to tell him that when someone dies their body stop moving, breathing and feeling. Some people believed they go to a special place, like heaven.

“Pet heaven!” exclaimed Bobby.

“Yes, pet heaven,” said Dad.

“What is pet heaven like?” asked Bobby.

“Well, it's a magical place,” said Mommy. “Where all the fish swim happily together”

“I know Alan will like pet heaven,” said Bobby.

“I think he will too,” said Dad.

“What is it like?” asks Bobby.

His mother told him that fish heaven was like an underwater paradise. It's filled with colorful coral reefs, sparkling water and friendly fish of all shapes and sizes. As much as bobby was excited about Alan swimming free and happy in fish heaven, he was going to miss his pet. He grabbed hold to his mother waist and began sobbing softly.

“Don't cry Bobby,” said Mommy. “Alan is going to be okay.”

“I miss him so much,” sobbed Bobby.

Dad looked at Alan floating inside his fishbowl. He got an idea of how to dispose of the fish without hurting Bobby feelings any further. He knew that Bobby wouldn't want to flush his pet down the toilet. Dad remembered a place inside mom's garden. He thought it would be a nice spot to bury Alan. He would be surrounded by beautiful flowers, and they could mark the spot with a decorative rock with is name. Dad sat Bobby down on his lap and told him the idea he had.

“What do you think buddy?” asked Dad.

“I love it!” said Bobby.

“We can a celebration party,” said Mommy. “With a balloon release in Alan's honor.”

“Yea!” exclaimed Bobby.

“We can invite your friends,” said Mommy.

“I can get another fish,” said Bobby.

“Okay,” said Mommy and Dad.

They were a little shocked that Bobby wanted another fish so soon. His parents were willing to do whatever he wanted to make him happy. Mommy went into her desk drawer and got out a little booklet that was given to Bobby at the beginning or the school year. Inside the book was a list of parents names and addresses of students that were in Bobby's first grade class. Mommy called all twenty-five of the students' parents to invite them to the celebration. It was Saturday morning; all the decorations were put outside and inside for the celebration party. There was a lemon cake shaped like a fish, finger sandwiches and a ice cream bar. Mommy had even bought twenty-six balloons shaped like a goldfish. Dad had bought a small wooden box to put Alan inside. He had dug a hole in mom's flower garden for Alan's memorial. Dad found a medium size gray rock in the garden and had Alan's name and the date he died written on top. Mommy gathered all the children and their parents for the memorial service. Bobby held the little wooded box with Alan inside. He gave the box to his dad to place inside the ground.

“I'm going to miss you Alan,” said Bobby. “I love you.”

Dad covered up the wooded box with dirt and placed the little rock over the top. Everyone went back inside the house to enjoy the celebration. Mommy and Mrs. Wynn fix plates for the children. At the end of the table were goodies bags filled with goldfish fruit gummies and small games for the children to take home. When everyone was done with their meal, it was time for the balloon release for Alan. Dad gathered all the balloons and gave one to each child including Bobby. They all went outside into the backyard.

“On the count of three release the balloons.” said Mommy.” One, two, three release!'

“We love you, Alan!” said Dad.

All twenty-six of the children released their balloons into the air. Bright colors of red, blue, yellow and white floated high in celebration of life for Alan the pet goldfish.

After the balloon release, everyone went home. Mommy passed out the goody's bags one by one to Bobby's classmates. Mommy and dad went into the kitchen and began cleaning up after everyone had left. Bobby opened the door to the backyard and went outside. He sat on the ground where Alan's memorial laid. Bobby stroking the rock and talking to his goldfish.

“Everyone came Alan,” said Bobby. “All of my friends came.”

Bobby's mom looked outside and saw him sitting on the ground. She went outside and sat down to him.

“Are you okay?” asked Mommy.

“Yea,” said Bobby. “I really miss him Mommy.”

“I'm sorry honey,” said Mommy.

Bobby hugged his mommy. His dad stood inside the doorway watching them. Mommy and Bobby came inside and closed the door.

“Dad, can we go to the pets store?” asked Bobby.

“You want to go now?" asked Dad.

“Yes, please,” said Bobby.

“Alright,” said Dad.

“You want to go Mommy?” asked Bobby.

“No, I'll stay,” said Mommy. “I still have cleaning to do.”

Bobby grabbed his dad by his hand and opened the front door. His dad helped him into the car and fastened his seat belt. Mom watched out the window waving as they drove off to the pet store.