Facing life's BIG question



I have been keeping Siamese fighting fish for quite a few years now, I think it has been three years now. And quite a few times I have to deal with the BIG question in life... death, throughout the times I was doing so and am still doing so. But last weekend was particularly emotionally challenging for me in facing it.

I was doing the weekly cleaning out of both my male and female Siamese fighting fishes at the kitchen sink on a Saturday afternoon. I cleaned out the tank of the female fish first and did not face any problems doing so. However, as I was cleaning out the tank of my male fish, for some reasons unknown to me, I had managed to pour him down the kitchen sink by mistake.

My immediate thought was that he would be a goner, probably stuck to those crevices found in the drain outlets. However, in the state of shock and disbelieve, I had still managed to switch on the kitchen tap to let some water flow into the drain outlet, hoping it would flush the fish out. Mind you, this fish is actually a red crown tail male betta splendens similar to the picture above but he is smaller and slimmer.

Lady luck must have been smiling at me on that fateful day. The gutsy little male fish flowed out into the drain, still very much kicking and alive and unscathed; my housekeeper who was near the same drain managed to scoop him out and helped me put him into the holding container while I finish cleaning out his tank.

I thought this little adventure might have affected the little guy in a negative way. But he just resumed with his naughtiness in spite of the incident and continued his fussy and picky eater manners. I am just thankful and grateful that he is OK. I can always buy another male fighting fish should he had not survived his little adventure down the drain. However, it would not be the same as the bonding process has to start all over again.

I keep Siamese fighting fishes because they are quite fuss-free to care for and they don't cost a bomb when it comes to food as they are not supposed to eat a lot, even though they are actually gluttons to the boot. Plus, their pretty shapes and colours, especially the male fishes are simply stunning beyond description. Not to mention, their uniquely amusing antics.

My fishes also remind me to take responsibility in keeping them, as well as respect all other animals that co-exist with us in this world. In other words, they helped me become a less selfish person. Last but not least, they also remind me that life is indeed very short and not to forget life's little and simple pleasures.