Tom and the Pond

Once upon a time there was a small, unassuming goldfish named Tom. He lived in a nice pond next to some nice flowers. Occasionally there would be a bird or bigger water creature that would prey on the fish, but for the most part, the pond was a safe and pleasant place to live. Tom had a family he loved, and friends he really enjoyed playing with. His job was to teach the baby fish how to avoid predators. Tom enjoyed his job but wondered if he wasn't destined for more.

One day, another fish from another pond, a much bigger one further away, swam over and asked if there were any fish willing to work and live in the other pond. The new fish, whose name was Stella, was friendly and knowledgeable and Tom very much wanted to go with her. After discussing it with his family and friends, Tom decided that yes, he would try to live in the bigger pond. His family and friends were sad to see him go, but wished him the best and told him they were looking forward to his return, whenever that would be. Tom waved good-bye and swam off with Stella.

The bigger pond was, in many ways, drastically different from the pond Tom had grown up in. It had lots of strange-looking flowers, and the fish there all spoke and swam differently. However, there were elements in the new pond that reminded Tom of home as well, such as the way mold would cling to the rocks at the bottom of the water. The sunlight was the same as well. Tom missed his friends and family, but he enjoyed exploring the new, bigger pond. It opened him up to more possibilities. Tom felt happy about his decision to live in the new pond and set about exploring his environment. Thanks to Stella, he made many new fish friends and even got to talk to a seahorse.

Sometimes, though, Tom would get frustrated. He couldn't communicate with the new fish very well, and some of them were wary of him because he came from a different pond. One day, Tom accidentally stubbed his fin because he couldn't navigate a winding path between some kelp. Some of his neighbors had swam right through but didn't bother to warn him. In his pain and confusion, Tom thought of his family and friends waiting in the other pond. He wondered if they thought of him.

That night, Tom told Stella that his fin was causing him an unpleasant experience and he was unsure if he could stay in the new pond for much longer. Stella asked Tom if he missed living in his old pond. Tom, somewhat abashedly, nodded yes. Stella asked Tom if he found some things about the new pond unfamiliar and therefore confusing; perhaps even a little threatening. Again, Tom nodded yes. Stella laughed and put a fin around Tom. "It's very natural for you to feel this way, Tom," she said, comfortingly. "Whenever I go to a new pond, I feel the exact same way." Tom was reassured. So I'm not the only one? He asked. "Of course not," said Stella. "But don't worry, we have many good things in this pond, too. And just because something is different doesn't make it bad."

Tom felt much better after talking to Stella and realized that he could learn a lot from being in the new pond. He resolved to stop thinking too much of the old pond and focus on all the great experiences available to him.

After some time had passed, Tom decided he would like to return to his old pond, even if it was just for a little while. He knew his family missed him and there were things he was really looking forward to about the old pond, such as his favorite hiding spots and the nice patch of seaweed that no one but him knew about. So Tom said good-bye to Stella and his new friends and began the swim back to his old pond. They wished him well and told him he was always welcome to come back.

When Tom entered his old pond, he was greeted by his family, who all gave him warm pats on the back. "Welcome back Tom," they said, smiling. Tom was happy to be back. He decided to visit his old friends' houses. One of his old friends had installed a new shell in his backyard. Tom thought it was a bit funny-looking, but he was too polite to tell his friend. "It's nice," he said. His new friend was head-over-heels in love with the shell and talked of nothing else. Tom felt a little bit bewildered by this new-found interest but decided not to voice his opinion, for fear of offending his friend.

Some of Tom's other fish friends had moved to a different section of the pond. When Tom visited them, he felt as if the water there was a little darker, the rocks a little bigger. He did not feel so safe in this part of the pond. "What are you talking about, Tom?" His friends asked, flabbergasted, when he mentioned his concern. "This pond is just the same as when you left." But Tom was not so sure. He thought of Stella and his friends from the bigger pond. Stella would understand what I mean, Tom thought to himself. She's been to many different ponds. But Stella was back in the other pond, and Tom wanted to concentrate on his life back in the old pond.

Tom found it difficult sleeping at night in the old pond. The rock he usually lay on had an unpleasant texture he didn't remember from before. It made his fins hurt. And when he swam out to his favorite hiding spots, he found that they weren't as spectacular as he remembered. It's quite silly, isn't it, he thought to himself. Tom swam round and round, trying to get comfortable with the old memories. But the pond felt like a whole different world to him.

Tom decided to ask his best friend, Daryl, what he thought. Hey Daryl, he said. "Hey Tom," Daryl said. "What's wrong?" Daryl always knew when Tom had something on his mind. Since coming back home, I feel like the pond has changed, Tom said. "What do you mean?" Daryl asked. Sometimes it seems smaller, sometimes it seems more dangerous. I don't know how to explain it, I just feel strange being here, Tom replied. "But how could you feel strange? You've lived here all your life." Daryl wore a perplexed expression, or as perplexed as fish can look. "Do you want to move to another pond?"

I don't know, Tom said, frustrated. I just think the pond here is strange now, that's all.

"I think you're the one who's strange, Tom," Daryl replied. He didn't give Tom a chance to respond before swimming away.

Tom lay on his rock that night, thinking. Is it the pond that's changed? He wondered. Or is it me?

The next day, Tom went to his parents and told them the same thing he had told Daryl.

"You always were a strange fish, Tom, " his father said. "Maybe you should have been born a shark. Then you could live in the ocean, instead of this small pond."

But I like the pond, Dad, Tom said. I just don't like it as much as I did before.

Tom's mother gave Tom a sad look. "Is this pond not enough for you, Tom?"

Tom put a fin around his mother. Just because I don't love this pond anymore doesn't mean I don't love you, Mom, he said.

She wiped a tear away with her fin. "This is your home, Tom," she said. "This is where you belong."

After his parents went to sleep (his mother still crying), Tom lay on his rock and thought some more about his predicament. If I leave the pond now, he thought, I might never come back. But if I stay here, I might lose the chance to leave forever. What should I do?

Finally, Tom made a decision. He knew it was the right decision because he felt nervous but not ominous about it. It was like the time he decided to befriend a koi fish: strange but not in a bad way. He and Daryl became best friends afterwards. (Well, maybe not anymore, Tom thought sadly.)

Tom fell asleep on his hard rock, happy with his decision. He would tell everyone tomorrow and hopefully they would understand. He couldn't wait to tell Stella, too.




The next day, there was a tsunami.