The Adventures of Barney Surfer: Fishes

I thought this was a good move. This tiny ocean is up high, away from the golden-haired giant. And, yes, I’m an aquatic sort of dinosaur. I thought the surf board had given that away. But this is different than I was expecting. It’s warm. I’m nice and warm, it’s true. But it smells bad. It smells of fish. So many fish. It smells of so many fish. It’s not such a good smell. Not all at once and not so strong.

It’s true. I don’t think the giant will find me. She can’t get up here.

But I don’t think I will stay here for long. I’ve got to wear this body glove. It’s called acclimatizing. And I must say I don’t care for it. There are, from what I can see, no waves to ride. Some over-sized and overly curious fishes have come to see me. They swim around me and then back away. I don’t think they like me here.

No, no. I don’t think I will fit in. Yes, I have two eyes. And I don’t blink. And I have a tail too, as far as that goes. But I don’t have gills. And these fish are not singing fish. What will we have to do? They are, so far, unimpressed with my repertoire of cold toes songs. I can’t get a chorus going. No, I don’t think I’ll stay. I’ll have to find some place else to hide from the ever-stalking blond giant.

Bea Murphy