The Goldfish

Ages 9-12

Naftoli carries the goldfish home from the school fair, and the water must stay level.

It is in a round bowl with a plastic lid, filled to a line he can see. He got it by throwing a ring over a bottle. He holds it in both hands in front of him, with his elbows tight.

He walks down the school steps one at a time. The water wobbles at the edge, and settles. He starts along the path.

At the corner the road is bumpy. He slows. The fish goes to the bottom, and turns, and the water leans in the bowl, and he leans the other way to keep it up.

A boy runs past. He steps wide. The water goes to the lid, and comes back.

He does not look at the road. He looks at the line. By the third street his arms are shaking. He stops, and puts the bowl on a wall, and shakes them out, and picks it up again.

At home, his mother opens the door. He goes past her, up the stairs, and into his room. He puts the bowl on the dresser, by the window.

The water is level with the line. The fish swims up to the glass, and turns.