Okay story time children gather round


and I went to a carnival last night and I won a little toucan and a rabbit and a bubblegum machine it was great and it ate a lot of money but anyway

We kept passing the traditional toss-a-ball-in-a-bowl-win-a-goldfish game and I kept saying "poor fishies :c" and Rebekah kept saying "Well then win one" and I kept saying "No, I don't want to support that barbaric practice" and she was all "I won some fish at a carnival when I was little and they lived for 5 years" and I was all "Yeah, but most little kids have no idea what to do with a goldfish in a bag and then their parents realize they have to go and get a tank and food and a filter and etc. and most parents are too lazy to do so so the fish either end up starving and/or flushed down a toilette." (We had this conversation a couple times)

The carnival was at the edge of a football field, and there were going to be some fireworks later, so we sat up on the bleachers and waited. Eventually a group of boys between thirteen and sixteen came a-tromping up the bleachers. They had two prize fish in tow, one in a bag and one in a water bottle. Rebekah and I both looked at each other and said "Uh-oh." Like we somehow knew what was coming. They went up to the top of the bleachers.

Well, the boy with the bagged fish raised it above his head, and then threw the bag down on the pavement below. Before I knew it, I was on my feet stomping over there.

Now keep in mind, I am 5'2", female, and have been mistaken for a thirteen year old. Maybe it was my hideous unibrow, but they all turned and stared at me silently as soon as I shouted "Hey!" I couldn't work up any nasty comments at the moment, being somehow naturally polite (when people accidentally hit me, I apologize for being in the way of their hand) so I just said "If you guys are just going to kill the fish, can I have it?"

They looked at each other, and one of them went down and got the bag and shoved it into my hands and said "Sure, whatever. Here you go: one dead fish." I said "Thank you." and walked away as they laughed.

The bag had a large hole in it, and water was leaking fast, but the fish was still alive, though in shock. I walked back to the fish game and asked for a new bag. Upon transferring the fish over, they accidentally dropped it in the grass. One of the girls said to me "If he dies, we'll get you a new fish." I decided not to say "Thanks, but that would kindov defeat the purpose." Anyway they picked him up and got him in the new bag and I went back to Rebekah who was guarding my stuff at the bleachers. Then I realized I was shaking. I am not very good at confrontations, you guys.

Well I fiercely guarded my fish the whole night, and when I got home it was past midnight, so no stores were open. I didn't have any of my old tanks (I had some fish when I was little) so I had to put the poor guy in a Tupperware container. I had about 15 minutes before work this morning, so I rushed to the store and got some food and water conditioner. Couldn't find a bowl, though. (the nearest pet store is about 40 minutes away) Got home from work, the fish was okay. My mom got me a Betta bowl. So now he's in a bowl and has food. |:

He seems to be doing fine, aside from freaking out at random things. Don't know how long he'll last, considering his numerous "spills." :/


I don't feel like I've changed anything. It's one little goldfish whose life I probably saved, but I haven't stopped that carnival tradition. And I probably haven't changed those boys' minds about how they treat animals, be they tiny little feeder fish or not, aside from letting them know that thirteen year old girls with unibrows don't like it. |: But I am glad (and surprised) I had the guts to do something for once.


So hey. I haven't had fish in a long time. Should I get him some company, or are they fine on their own? Should I put some rocks or a plant or something in his bowl? I don't even know. |:



Oh and here he is: [link]

So far I've called him Theodore, Thomas, Spock, Alt Delete, Sputnik, Antonio, and a number of other completely random names when I was talking to him. Not many have stuck.




EDIT:

Weeeeell he didn't make it. Lasted almost a week. I was going to pick up a tank and filter from someone tomorrow, but found him dead this morning. :/ He was having trouble swimming, hovering in one place near the top of the water, not eating, etc. I'm more mad than sad, really.

A humongous thank you to all who gave advice (especially you stardragon, lol)... I don't think he would have lived as long without your help. It's good to know not everyone in the world is heartless enough to torture a goldfish for laughs.