Listen to the Murmur of the Water

Thirteen-year-old Caleb proudly wears his slightly faded Tennis grey joggers and matching grey shirt. He has round amber eyes and a not so tiny mustache that rivaled most of the boys in his grade. Catching him at unawares, Caleb’s body swoons to the left as his sister Yumina steps forward in line leaving her previous spot. Caleb clicks away, refocusing and moving his fingers on the screen of his IPhone 6, his

eyes glued to the phone. The line into the aquarium shortens. This is his first visit since early childhood.

Two months ago Caleb unabashedly roared with his teammates as they descend the stairs-welcoming their last tennis match of the season. The crowd of reserved faces from neighboring towns greet them as they position themselves for their match. Seventy minutes pass and Caleb’s eyes glisten, filled with tears and with an unfamiliar feeling, the once undefeated team slowly walk back into their locker rooms. Silence.

The humid California air hugs Caleb as he inches closer into the aquarium. As usual his mother’s high pitched voice fills the surrounding area as she chatters with strangers reminiscing on their first visit to the aquarium.

Caleb takes the map from the guide and veers left to walk into the Ocean Zone. Where he reads…

Without a warning Caleb is enamored by the countless sections of exotic fish. He is entranced by the bold shades of strawberry and cherry coral and anemone.

Astounded he inches closer to the point where he feels his breath on his face as he stares into the tank, watching the school of sardines mystically swirling and swimming in perfect unison. Caleb’s mind slows as he watches the clownfish languidly brush by.

He looks around to see if Yumina is also sharing this experience. His breathing slows down and he continues to meander deeper into the aquarium.

A fish aquarium has the potential of having many positive benefits.

Along with the health benefits of having a pet fish; the water symbolizes the flow of life, of growth and the activities of living things. The motion and sounds of the bubbling water as it moves throughout the fish tank decreases stress and anxiety levels. A confirmed method for soothing stress is to stare serenely into an aquarium. The calming sound and the peaceful motion of its inhabitants have proven to lower blood pressure and calm nerves. Studies have confirmed that watching aquarium fish soothes children that suffer from hyperactivity.