Pisces

Two children, a boy and a girl, went fishing one afternoon.

Before long, they drew up a beautiful, golden trout.

But no one had ever taught them about fish, --

specifically, that fish survive only a short time out of water.

Consequently, they planned to make this trout a pet.

They had even brought along a leash, bought for the occasion, and paid for with two whole weeks of allowance.

Of course, there was some trouble jerking her off the line, and the hook tore out half of her mouth.

The sight of blood excited the children.

"He's okay," said the boy, laying the fish down on a cold, smooth rock just beside the shoreline.

"He's okay," echoed the girl.

But the poor little fish gasped rapidly through her tattered mouth and gills,

blood running down her throat, and down the curved face of the rock.

"I think he's sick," said the girl, now slightly panicked.

"Nah," the boy corrected her, "he's just weak. Look! He's giving up."

And, just as he said it, the poor little fish clenched up its organs,

then relaxed itself for the last time, stretched out, and died.

"See. He gave up!"

The girl, somewhat puzzled, nodded absently in agreement.

"He gave up," she echoed.

They were both very upset.

This fish had disappointed them.