The Goldfish

The Goldfish

By Elton Camp

The parents knew their child wanted a pet
They didn’t think he was ready for a dog yet
Maybe little Robert can be enough satisfied
If an aquarium for some goldfish they tried

And they knew that when they went anywhere
Fish can stay at home without any need of care
Expense was far greater than they ever dreamed
But they needed pump, filter and plants it seemed

In two days, everything seem to be ready and set
Except that they hadn’t bought the goldfish yet
Robert went with them to help pick out a few
When Robert got there, he asked only for two

The boy released them and they began to swim
In the aquarium, they looked just right to him
The next morning, the parents go a bad surprise
To the water’s surface, belly-up, both fish did rise

For the death of the fish, parents didn’t know why
So they decided to explain it to Robert with a lie
“Jesus needed the goldfish up in heaven with him.
So now in the celestial lake the two of them swim.

Robert frowned as he gave the tale some thought
The terrible fate of the goldfish they had bought
Then the boy said, “This one thing I sure do wish,
Please tell me why Jesus needs to have goldfish?”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Haick Avatar
December 18, 2010 at 9:19 AM
Leave it a child's curiosity which sometimes comes at odd moments for parents, but perfect for children..always open and direct. Love it, Elton..still smiling! Blessings, peace and joy, Always, Audrey
Devonshire Avatar
December 17, 2010 at 10:26 AM
The parents were trying to make Robert feel better, Elton. This always seemed to be the experience I had when trying to have fish. They died -- perhaps it will help to think of all these goldfish swiming in a "celestial lake." Got a chuckle reading this, especially Robert's question at the end. Cute poem! Love, Carolyn
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