My three-year-old nephew has been bugging my sister to get him a fish ever since he saw an aquarium in someone else's home. Any time a pet ad comes on television or any time the family is at the mall, Junior pesters his mom for a fish.
He won last weekend. Meet Bob the fish.
Bob is a blue Beta fish — you know the exotic-looking fish in the tiny bowls that don't really care for the company of other fish and don't need larger accommodations? That's Bob.
My sister was worried that Bob would interest Junior about as long as anything he's ever begged her for — fifteen minutes, tops. She was also concerned for Bob's safety, as Junior tends to be rough with just about everything.
But she needn't have worried.
The first night after Bob joined the family, there were Junior's little cars all lined up on the dresser by Bob's bowl, so Bob could see and play with them.
Maybe Bob is lonely. Maybe he needs the light on because he is afraid of the dark. Maybe he needs some dessert, too. Maybe he wants to watch television with Junior.
Whatever Bob wants, Junior knows and gives it to him.
Wonder of wonders, Bob wants to go to pre-school more than anything else! Of course, that isn't possible, so Junior decided to bring pre-school to Bob.
Yes, the boy that worried his mom because he could not care less about A-B-C's and 1-2-3's is now teaching Bob how to say his letters and count.
In fact, Bob is learning quite a bit. Junior has a set of flash cards with colors and shapes on them and Bob just can't get enough. Junior is even reading!
He sits patiently and reads to Bob and shows him the pictures. He tells him the name for everything.
Bob's nickname is Pre-School Fish.
The only thing that Bob can't do is travel well. My sister takes her Chihuahua with her everywhere she goes. Naturally, Junior wants to take Bob along. Can you just see him with his little seat belt on sitting next to Junior in the Jeep Cherokee? Lucky for Bob, my sister has neighbors that don't mind looking after Bob when they need to travel.
It really is amazing. Parents and communities spend lots of money on toys and programs to encourage children to read and do well with school subjects.
Who'd have thought that all it really takes is the little Beta fish that could?
As my sister says, he's easy to care for: small bowl, small amount of food… Small lifespan? Not a problem.
Junior's parents are so grateful to Bob and the central role he has in Junior's life that they've committed Bob's color and shape to memory for those quick dashes to the pet shop should Bob #1 meet with an early demise. As far as they are concerned, Bob is going to live fifteen years if they can help it.
(Jelly Mom is written by Lisa Barker, a busy mom of five, and syndicated through Martin-Ola Press/Parent to Parent. To read more, visit www.JellyMom.com)
