Three year old Jamie sat staring at the six goldfish as they swam in the oval shaped tank. His mom and dad had purchased the fish and tank just this morning and he had been lying on the floor watching the fish for most of the day. His mother had insisted on him sitting at the table for lunch and dinner but the TV and his favourite cartoons had been forgotten. His parents had helped him choose names for his fish and surprisingly, he had found a way of remembering who was who. Jordan, he noted was near the bottom on the far side of the tank while Noah and Sandra seemed to be kissing somewhere around the middle. Deborah, Abby, and Missy were more interested in the little pieces of food that still remained from when his dad had fed them earlier. Suddenly Jamie thought of something, where would his fish sleep tonight? An image came into his mind of all six fish, dressed in yellow (his favourite color) pyjamas sleeping soundly at the bottom of the tank.

“Hey Jamie, would you like to join us for a sleepover“? Jamie looked up and there were all six goldfish, dressed just as he had imagined in yellow PJ’S, with their faces pressed against the side of tank. He couldn’t believe this was happening! Not only were his goldfish talking to him, but they were inviting him to a sleepover at the bottom of the tank. Jordan, who was the biggest and seemed to be spokes-fish for the group continued, “of course you will have to get your yellow pyjamas”. Jamie sped to his bedroom and returned wearing his favourite PJ’S. “One more thing“, Jordan spoke almost in a whisper now, “before you get in the tank, you must become a goldfish like us”. Jamie suddenly thought of his mom and dad, “what would they think if he wasn’t around at bedtime for their good-night kiss? Would they be able to sleep? “It’s only for tonight” Jordan assured him, “you can change back again in the morning, and think of the fun we’ll have”.

Jamie smiled, ”okay, seeing it’s just for tonight, but how do I become a goldfish and how do I get into the tank”? “That’s the easy part” laughed Jordan, you just repeat some magic words and we’ll smuggle you in through our secret under-tank passage”. Jamie began to repeat after Jordan, “Bubble bubble this is my wish, let Jamie now become a goldfish” Suddenly he felt very strange, sort of slippery like and all wet. Jamie realized that he was moving swiftly through a tunnel filled with water. The next think he knew he was with his friends inside the tank. “Hooray”, they all shouted, now lets have some fun”. They chased each other around the tank, played flip-flop, floated on their bellies, and even bobbed for imaginary mosquitoes. Exhausted and sleepy, one by one they began sinking to the bottom of the tank. It was Jordan who remembered that they had forgotten to brush and floss, and each waited as patiently as young fish can, for their turn in the bathroom. Finally all were asleep except Jamie who was much too excited by his surroundings, but at last even he slept soundly.

Jamie heard his mother’s voice even as he felt his father’s strong arms lifting him from the floor. “My sweet little boy”, she whispered, you’ve been watching those goldfish all day, but now it’s time for bed, you’ve fallen asleep by the fish tank”. Jamie opened his eyes for a moment and smiled, “it was fun being a goldfish mom“, he said sleepily, “but I’m happy to be a boy again”.