Manu and the Fish
Manu strolled to his stainless sink
To wash his hands and have a think.
He reached for soap, a bar was handy,
A square pink cake that looked like candy.
He ran the water, fresh and cool,
And in his hands, it formed a pool.
Then, out of the water, to his surprise,
a tiny fish with bulging eyes
Appeared to Manu and woefully cried--
“Please, kind sir, don’t wash me away!
I have important words to say.
If you will raise me, then one day,
I’ll save your life, please let me stay!”
Manu responded, “Little Fish,
How shall I raise you? Grant your wish?
Shall I place you in a dish?
Your little home in which to swish?”
Fish answered, “In a jar for sure.
Until I grow and well mature.
Then in a pond you shall put me
Until I’m ready for the sea.
To keep his fish friend safe, Manu
Installed an inground swimming pool.
His neighbors laughed and mocked and drooled,
Said, “Evil fish has found His fool!”
And Manu said, “Don’t laugh, but pray!
A Flood is coming, Fish does say,
And Humanity will be swept away!
This fish will save my life one day!”
In time, when Fish was fully grown,
The largest fish mankind had known,
Manu and Fish to seashore went.
Humanity’s time was almost spent.
Now build a ship, Fish told his friend,
And it will save you in the End.
Then tie the ship to me, and I
Will take you to a mountain high.
And when the rainclouds did unleash,
That massive flood killed man and beast.
But Manu and The Fish survived.
And on the mountain top arrived.
And just as Fish had always said,
Humanity was now quite dead.
Overcome by the raging flood,
The world was cleansed of all bad blood.
But Manu on the mount was safe,
Against Fish’s wishes he never chafed.
And as the waters did recede,
The Fish told Manu he must leave.
His job was done, Manu was spared
Because for Fish’s life he cared.
And then Manu, now all alone,
Began descent to his new home.
Copyright © Melissa Herod | Year Posted 2023
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