Yesterday, Christopher thought it would be a good idea to feed Carnival by himself. While everyone was in the kitchen, he dumped 3/4 of the fish food in the tank. It was a hot "murky" mess. Luckily, a friend had just bought them a new tank with a filter. We quickly got Carnival out of his old tank and into the new one. Everyone was happy. "Lord please don't let Carnival die," was the short prayer I said.
Well, this morning my children woke up to Carnival stuck behind the filter no longer swimming. Gabrielle, devastated (and probably secretly blaming her brother) laid on the couch crying. Olivia was next to come downstairs an announce to me, "Carnival is dead!" You would have thought hurricane Irene had come back with the flood of tears. Nothing could have made it worse than their little brother proclaiming around the house, "Carnival is dead. He's dead right NOW!" He sounded like a little picketer wanting better wages. Christopher was not fazed at all. He even asked if we were going to Wal-mart to get another fish.
I carefully scooped Carnival out and laid him on a paper towel. I called the girls in to say their last good-bye. It really felt like I was at a wake. The girls were so emotional. After looking at Carnival for a few seconds, Gabrielle (in her best Academy performance) put her hands over her mouth and ran upstairs crying uncontrollably. I taught the kids a short lesson in life and death and flushed Carnival. The kids went on to make their breakfast and life continues at the Williams house.
R.I.P Carnival. Gone but not forgotten.
