Author’s note: The first line of this story was offered by Elizabeth.
It happened at last but not the way I had hoped.
I didn’t have to stay in the river anymore. It was too crowded anyway–too many grand hippos, uncles, aunts and cousins left too little privacy. Too many family members shared the food that was mostly just grass. An occasional fruit would lead to fights among cousins where I always lost, being the weakest one. Also, too many fishes poked their noses in my business, gossiping about who I spoke to and how it all went.
I couldn’t get away from them fast enough.
So, I was happy, at least in the beginning, that I wouldn’t have to share my food anymore. Ever since they brought me here in that trailer, I had had more fruits everyday than ever in my lifetime. And I had the little pond all to myself without any gossiping fishes or frogs or uncles or aunts or cousins…
There was no one to fight for food and no one to gossip with or about…
I finally got the wish I didn’t want anymore.
Short Stories | Fish-eye Perspective 
The hippopotamus was finally alone in his pond, he didn’t have to share his food with anyone, but he couldn’t play with his friends either… a little sad. A nice story Shaily. A hug.
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Thank you, Yvonne! 🙂 Isn’t that the same for all of us, sad little lives separated from families to find happiness in big cities?
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Sad little captive hippo indeed. Nice use of the first line, Shaily.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete! Somehow, I am not satisfied. What Elizabeth offered was a very wide option. I could have used it in something much more impressive. I failed to impress myself. 😔
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The grass is always greener on the other side 🥺.
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Hey Ngozi! Glad to see you again.
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It is not unusual for us to have wished for a better story, but this one worked well-enough for me.
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Thanks Pete!
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Same here☺
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