by Niko Ortiz
Mina’s goldfish, Pumpkin, started leaving tiny handwritten notes on the aquarium glass.
Complaint #1: Water temperature inconsistent. Please stabilize for optimal dramatic swimming.
Complaint #2: Decorative castle haunted. Request exorcism or replacement.
Complaint #3: Stop tapping the glass. I am not a jukebox.
Mina tried to reason with him, but Pumpkin insisted on formal communication. One morning, she found a final note:
Complaint #27: I have decided to unionize.
The next day, every fish in the neighborhood mysteriously went on strike. No swimming. No bubbling. Just floating in a perfectly coordinated protest.
Mina sighed and grabbed her notebook. She had a feeling negotiations were going to be intense.
Art by Saatchi Art, “Fiery Goldfish“
About the Author Niko writes tiny worlds and gets lost in them on purpose. She really loves goldfish too.