My Goldfish Died

He was a good fish, though at times gluttonous. He was strong too, outlasting his shoal mates by a good four months.

In the end Bangkok's fetid tap water probably killed him (yes - I dechlorinated the water and let it sit for a few days - and yes I should have used bottled water but with the recent shortage it seemed too valuable of a commodity).

I was saddened by the realization that perhaps my selfishness caused his death. I saw his death as a dark omen.

But then I realized - he was not really gone - he simply went back to the place from where he came from.

Although his corporeal form is no longer - his life force will be passed on. Maybe a street cat will consume his corpse (it was too big to be flushed) and gain enough energy to survive the night. In time that cat too will perish - but maybe its body will be composted and come back as some flowers - or even some grass that a cow will eat.

And one day that cow too will die - and perhaps some starving child will consume its flesh - thus keeping him alive for just one more night. And maybe that child will go on to change the world - all because of the life force passed on from my goldfish.