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It
started long, long ago in a river far, far away. . .
Once upon
a time, a school of catfish lived at the bottom of a cool,
murky river. They were a happy group -- except for the smallest
catfish. He was a dreamer and yearned to see wide open spaces,
to explore the world above and below the surface of the water.
He wanted to travel.
The other
fish teased him about his dream.
"Why
can't you just enjoy life on the river bottom?" they
asked.
One evening,
the smallest catfish was swimming near the surface of the
river. The moon was shining, the fireflies were blinking and
the smallest catfish was gazing longingly at the riverbank
and the road beyond.
"If
I could only leave this river, I could follow that road and
have grand adventures!" he thought.
Suddenly,
he noticed a tiny man on the bank of the river. He was smaller
than a human and was strangely dressed in a green tunic and
a tall, red hat. The smallest catfish was curious and swam
closer.
"Hello,
little catfish," said the strange little man. "How
are you on this fine summer evening?"
"I'm
not well at all," said the little catfish. "I'm
trapped here in this river, but I long to see the world."
"I
understand, my finny blue friend," said the strange little
man. "You see, I am a garden gnome and was once confined
to stand like a statue in a flower bed. I too had the desire
to see the world.
"Then,
one night, I wished upon the evening star and was freed from
my bondage," the gnome continued. "Now I travel
the world!"
The little
catfish sighed. How he wished to travel!
"You
seem like a good little fish," said the gnome, taking
pity on him. "I'm going to grant your desire to see the
world. From this time on, you will be able to travel the world
during the month most sacred to your kind -- National Catfish
Month. All I ask is that you dress in the fashion of the one
who granted your wish.
You will
be known during that time as Catfish Gnome and serve as a
spokescritter for your people."
The little
catfish was so excited! He thanked the gnome and went home
to pack his bags.
From that
time to this, the catfish leaves his river in August, dons
his red cap and green tunic and travels the world telling
everyone about National Catfish Month. . .
Well,
wasn't that a great story? Aren't you ready to join me and
celebrate National Catfish Month?
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