You're IT!

The Frog was sitting on a lily pad in the middle of the pond. The Frog, named Fanta, had found this particular lily pad and rejoiced. It was the perfect lily pad for sitting and that can be a very rare find on a warm, breezy, pleasant day when so many are looking for a perfect place to sit.

Meanwhile, a Fish, named Gossamer, was swimming around and around and around the pond looking for something to do. He was bored out of his gills. No one wanted to play, or talk, or get ice cream, or play tag, nothing.

At one point Gossamer swam past Fanta. Fanta, being polite waved at Gossamer. Gossamer took this wave as a sign that Fanta wanted to chat.

“Finally!” Thought Gossamer, “Someone who gets how boring it is to not do anything!”

Gossamer swam up to Fanta and popped out of the water.

“Hey there!” Gossamer began, “How are you today?”

Fanta was trying to enjoy his lily pad in peace and quiet. This interruption wasn’t ideal but hopefully, it would end soon.

“Doing well,” Fanta said flatly, “How about yourself?”

D’oh!!!

Fanta only said how about yourself out of habit, he didn’t mean to.

“I’m doing great! Want to play tag or something?” Gossamer asked.

“Not really,” Fanta replied. “I’m enjoying this perfect lily pad right now, but thanks!”

“No problem,” Gossamer replied, “Have you ever seen a ghost? I haven’t.”

“No, I can’t say that I have,” Fanta replied. Short. Curt.

Fanta was really getting annoyed now. He may never wave or ask anyone “How about yourself” ever again.

“Well...” Gossamer began again.

“Let me stop you right there!” Fanta said, fed up, “I am trying to enjoy my perfect lily pad on this perfect day and I’d rather do it by myself if you don’t mind, thanks!”

Gossamer was taken aback. He felt awful. He didn’t want to ruin anyone’s perfect day. He was just bored and hoped to meet a friend.

“Sorry, mister,” Gossamer said, contrite, “I was just gonna ask you what makes a lily pad perfect, then get out of your hair. I’ll just go ahead and get out now.”

Gossamer swam away.

Fanta felt lousy. He didn’t want to have the interaction with Gossamer in the first place and now he felt so lousy for being such a dummy to an innocent Fish who just wanted to talk.

Suddenly, Fanta’s lily pad didn’t feel perfect anymore. The day still felt the same temperature-wise but had changed tenor given these events.

Gossamer swam off looking to find some small corner of the pond where he could just chill and not bother anyone. He managed to find a little clearing amongst some cool rocks close to the surface. He figured he’d hang out there for a while. It was a really nice spot and Gossamer actually decided he could just take a nap. Maybe no one wanted to talk today so he should just accept that and enjoy himself. He drifted off and maybe because he finally accepted the things he could not change, he had some of the best sleep he’s had in many years

Fanta wasn’t enjoying his perfect lily pad anymore. He knew he had to go and apologize to that Fish or he would feel bad for the whole rest of the day. He lept off the lily pad and swam around looking for Gossamer.

He looked all around the pond but couldn’t find the Fish. He asked around about Gossamer if anyone had seen him. He asked some Flies, some Ducks, and even some Cranes. All of them knew who Fanta was talking about but didn’t know where the fish was.

Finally, Fanta came across the resting place where Gossamer was, he dove down and saw that he was sleeping. Fanta considered, leaving him alone and letting him sleep, but considering Gossamer had also disturbed him before he ultimately decided tit-for-tat for an apology was probably fine.

“Hey! Hey! Wake up, buddy!” Fanta yelled.

Gossamer, startled awake.

“What? Who is that?” Gossamer said, groggy.

“Hey it’s me from the lily pad from earlier,” Fanta began his apology, “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for telling you to buzz off earlier, it wasn’t very nice and you didn’t do anything to deserve that.”

Gossamer, who hadn’t been sleeping well at all these last few days was less than pleased to be awoken from his first great slumber for an apology from someone he didn’t even remember holding a grudge against.

“I was sleeping so well! I don’t care that you didn’t want to talk to me! You could have just said it nicer! Now you’ve ruined my perfect sleep!”

Now Fanta was taken aback. He just looked at Gossamer with sad eyes. He had come all this way to offer a genuine apology and was being turned away.

Gossamer already regretted saying what he did. He knew he would have to find the Frog to eventually apologize to him.

“Well,” Fanta said, “I guess you’re it.”

“Yeah,” Gossamer replied, “I know...”

“I’ll see you in a little bit?” Fanta replied.

“Yeah, don’t go too far,” Gossamer continued, “Hope you find a nice lily pad to sit on but let me just count to three. Then, ready or not... here I come...”