Piscicide or The Importance of Doing Your Chores

A little whimsy from a story a tour guide told in Iceland about Fjord fish kills. I know a little out there, but had to get something written, if it sucks, I will take my lumps...lol.

     It was the lead herring that made the decision, if a herring can make a decision or be a leader.  It might have been a change in water temperature or the lunar phase that caused her to choose to rush headlong into the fjord with a sense of urgency unmatched. Maybe it was bigger fish chasing an abundant food source and it was the only escape route at hand, any way you would have it, it was a Kamikaze mission. The throng of herring that followed, slashed and flashed after her, a decision or non-decision that would make the slaughter of soldiers at the beaches of Normandy or Omaha look like a Sunday night at a small-town emergency room in rural Maine. Their numbers were unfathomable, the balls of fish rushing and weaving their way to the midpoint of the fjord. Smaller groups upon smaller groups running out of room and massing together in a larger ball.  The speed at which they swam began to slow as the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water depleted rapidly. Normally life-giving gills working too hard, opening too wide, not finding the purchase that they were accustomed. The first of the fish to die floated to the surface, its once two-dimensional gaze now a one-dimensional stare. There weren’t many that escaped as the surface and the rocks became littered with the fatalities born of the mistake of a single herring. As the sun rose and the inhabitants of the peninsula realized what happened, the work began in earnest to collect the millions of herring to prevent what would surely be a fragrant and repugnant start to the week.

     “What happened to the fish Mama?”

     “To many children forgot to do their chores last week child. Did you do yours”

     “Yes Mama.”

     “Then it must have been Herr Pieters kids, now we all pay.”

Author's Note

Lol...I know, I'm not sure either.

Reviews

[Lorry]

I have been to Iceland, although not as a child, yet this made me smile at all those good meaning myths parents told children to cover up having to explain the reality of it all.
All those "Stick out your tongue so I can see if it's black and you are lying" or " if the wind changes, your face will stay that way" or "Stop that, it makes you go blind"... Well, maybe the last one was a little later, but hou get the idea.😀
Such a beautiful place. Went to the blue lagoon, in or near Reykjavik, saw the northern lights and crashed a skidoo... Happy days. 😀

[NotUsinganymore]

Very great poem! I liked it very much! I like the creativity in it!

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I don't know what's up with me Cee...you are a brilliant writer but I think I'm all ghouled up and in a strange headspace! For the life of me..Idk If I love it or I hate it?????

[Crowley]

You can hate it, I will forgive you..lol. Ben in a bit of a writing funk, but this one I really wanted to write about because of a story one of the tour guides told in Iceland, not this exactly, but about fjord fish kills.

[Neville]

Magnificent...

I am not sure why but the old adage 'for want of a nail, the war was lost' kind of springs to mind, well to my mind at least.. funny innit, or maybe just something fishy going on... N

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

This writing is very thoughtful and brilliant in its analogy. The setting you have chosen is of course beautifully done. How profound it is that the misjudgment, lack of foresight of leaders (on, below and above terra firma) can lead to utter annihilation of countless millions! You deserve an an A+ for this writing, Crowley.

[Crowley]

Ha!!! Thank you!!! Had to grease the wheels with something haven’t written in a week or two. Always nice to see you around!!!

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

You’re most welcome! :)