Kitty's Fishing Fandangle

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Kitty loved fish. Not eating them. Not watching them. Catching them. From dawn until her eyes went blurry, she stood at the edge of Ripple Lake with her net held high, absolutely convinced that the ENTIRE WORLD was covered in fish. Fish hiding in trees. Fish pretending to be rocks. Fish wearing hats and walking on two legs—well, those were probably still fish, technically. Her best friend Marco had tried to explain the difference between a fish and, say, a bicycle. It did not go well. “See that bicycle?” Marco had pointed. “That's a FISH,” Kitty interrupted confidently. “A shiny silver fish that doesn't swim. Yet.” Marco sighed.

On Tuesday morning, Kitty woke up fizzing with excitement. The Annual Lake Inspector was coming to Ripple Lake. This person—according to the official notice—would examine the water quality, check for pollution, and make sure everything was “up to standard.” Kitty read this three times. Then she nodded wisely. “They're coming to see the FISH,” she declared to Marco, who was eating toast at her kitchen table. “Obviously. Why else would they visit?” Marco chewed slowly. “The water quality?” “That's where the fish LIVE, Marco.” Kitty tapped her forehead. “Connect the dots.”

The Inspector arrived at noon in a silver car that gleamed like—well, like a fish, according to Kitty. They were tall, wore a clipboard like a shield, and looked deeply skeptical about everything. Their name was Dr. Patel. “So,” said Dr. Patel, stepping out and surveying the lake, “I'll need to collect water samples, test the pH levels, and document—” “FISH SAMPLES!” Kitty shouted, lunging forward with her net. “I know where ALL the good ones are!” Dr. Patel blinked. “I'm sorry?” “The fish. You want fish, right? For your clipboard?” Kitty's eyes were very wide and very sincere. Dr. Patel looked at Marco. Marco shrugged helplessly.