A Very Chilli Fishmas Story
In the course of a year, a lot of things change,
Decorations and clings and stones rearranged.
We’ve tripled in size and added new friends,
Enjoyed every day with laughs that won’t end.
Now time is getting short, the twinkles are twinkling,
Outside the window the snowflakes are sprinkling.
We’ve had a year full of some hits and misses,
But for the youngest fish, it’s the first Christmas for Fishes.
Lil Chilli was born and had grown up with you,
His best buddy Marley is swimming here too.
The Platys, Selvesta.. Oh, you don’t know Sel yet..
We’ll make introductions, unless I forget.
As the season grew near, we told them the story
Of our last Fishmas, Santa’s visit and the Fishmas glory,
The warmth and the presents and the sparkling lights,
When Chilli spoke up– “Let me get this right..”
“So you say that an elf will just bring presents, then leave?
I’ll make this easy– I just don’t believe.
You can have your sparkles and holiday wishes,
But I think it’s silly, this Christmas for Fishes.”
Bubba was shocked, Molly was shattered.
“But Chilli..” she said, “What is the matter?
We told about Santa’s visit last year..
Why would you say that, with Fishmas so near?”
“Oh, I listened,” he said. “I heard every word.
I just think the story’s absurd.
Because you worried, Santa appeared all gleaming?
I think you were all just doing holiday dreaming.”
And with that he swam off, to be all alone,
Hiding behind his favorite stone.
And while the others all talked about their holiday wishes,
Chilli just thought about this Christmas for Fishes.
As the days passed he would not budge on his view,
And the others were worried, but what could they do?
He stayed up long past when the others were dreaming,
Swam back and forth, watching and scheming.
When finally one night, he saw the glow for himself.
Chilli rushed over to look for the elf.
He was disappointed when he saw the cause–
Instead of Santa, he saw Mrs. Claus.
She smiled sweetly, and quietly looked around,
And Chilli just whispered as the others slept sound.
“So instead of Santa himself, he sent the Missus..
To, what? Lecture me? On this Christmas for Fishes?”
Chilli spun so fast, he must have got dizzy.
“No, I need Santa! Please don’t say he’s too busy!
This is important, and I need him right now.
I don’t care what it takes, I don’t care how..”
Mrs. Claus laughed, her cheeks all aglow.
“I’m a Claus too, in case you don’t know..
What is it you want? What’s your holiday wishes?
We want you happy on this Christmas for Fishes.”
Chilli whispered “I’m scared” and left it at that,
So the old elf sat down, and took off her hat.
“You know we won’t miss you, we made that clear..
When we visited the tank at this time last year.”
Chilli shook his head. “It’s none of those things.”
“I know what the holiday brings.
I’m sorry, I really don’t mean to be rude,
I’m not really trying to have a bad attitude..”
“I just figured, maybe, if I said I don’t believe,
Santa would come and he would listen to me.
Spot keeps getting sick, sometimes you can’t tell,
But he’s never really truly quite well.”
“So it’s Santa’s magic, just that is all I need..
Make him all better, and then I’ll believe.”
Chilli watched as the elf’s eyes teared up and misted,
As she learned of his wish, on this Christmas for Fishes.
Mrs. Claus sat there speechless, she was not prepared.
This wasn’t the wish she thought she would hear.
Bubbles and glowy rocks, treats they could do,
But this was so different, she had not thought this through.
Chilli looked on, innocent eyes filled with tears.
“If you can’t do it, why are you even here?
You’re supposed to be granting our best Fishmas wishes!”
He shouted out, “You’re as useless as a Christmas for Fishes!”
When from behind, a voice said “Now Chilli, be nice!”
“You’ll wake up the others, and I won’t tell you twice.”
Slowly Spot swam to the front of the tank.
“You shouldn’t be rude, you should tell her thanks.”
Chilli’s anger melted into an onslaught of tears.
“I just want the best you for Fishmas this year.”
Spot smiled a half smile, and tilted sideways.
“Do you think I’m not best, because I act strange?”
“No, you’re the greatest!” Chilli said, looking down.
“That’s why I want this, so you’ll always be ’round.”
Spot looked at the Elf. “I’m sorry, Claus Missus..
But I think I should handle this Christmas for Fishes.”
Chilli started to turn, Spot said “Don’t swim away..”
“There’s a reason I’m thankful to see each new day.
It’s not shrimpy poofs or stones, it’s all that we do,
Because it’s one more day I am spending with you.”
“With my family of friends, I am already so blessed.
I may be different, but I’m still my best.
I’m warm, I am loved, I’ve got all my wishes,
There’s no need to fix me on this Christmas for Fishes.”
Chilli whispered “But you get so tired every time that we play..”
“I know, Little Chilli, so just love me today.
I’ve always been different, it’s just who I am,
From a time long before you first swam.”
“My fins aren’t strong, my mouth is not right.
Sometimes I sleep on my side at night.
And I can’t always do what the rest of you do,
But that never stopped me from loving you.”
The lady elf sniffled, and wiped off her eyes.
“I am sorry for the quiet, I was caught by surprise.
But Spot’s right, every day is granted through wishes.
He sees the true reason of a Christmas for Fishes.”
Spot flipped upside down.
“What you don’t understand is what I hold true..
We make our own joy in the things that we do.
I’ve never been broken, so there’s no fixing, you see..
I’m the very best me that ever will be.”
“I’m the happiest fish just being Spot,
Looking at all the good things I’ve got.
So I guess in a way, you got your wishes,
I am the very best Spot on this Christmas for Fishes.”
And it was on that, with a tale gone astray,
That a lesson was taught to someone that day.
Mrs. Claus stood up slowly, a gleam in her eye.
“I’ve one thing to say, before I say goodbye..”
“Thank you, dear Chilli, and our wonderful Spot.
You reminded me something I had somehow forgot.
I expected to hear about treats and some stones,
Bubbles and toys to fill up your home.”
“I was ready to give you new plants and a cave,
But I could never match the gift that you gave.
The Spirit of Fishmas, the holiday wishes,
Grows in the heart of this Christmas for Fishes.”
And as she turned and started to fade,
Spot shouted out, “I still have something to say!
We might have the Spirit, and your heart may be warming..
But I still expect treats on Fishmas morning!”
From all of the fish, the little snails too,
We wish the very best Fishmas for you.
The End.