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The Rotunda
Sunday, July 6, 2025

I Got Frogs

I got frogs. Two mini aquatic frogs. It was this eco-system thingy from Brookstone.

I had to fight for it...literally.but these little guys are so worth it. It all started the week I got home for winter break. Mama and I went to the mall to do some shopping.

We stopped in Brookstone and I see this display of frogs. I start begging my mom for them the way a child begs their parents for a candy bar in the checkout line at the grocery store. Mama tells me no way, it's not happening. I became very disappointed but was determined not to give up.

My family has a big party on Christmas Eve every year. We plan a gift exchange game; my assistant Corey tells me it's called Dirty Secret Santa. The rule of the game is each participant brings one gift which is potentially suitable or interesting to any of the other participants. The gifts should be wrapped in such a way as to disguise their nature. Ideally, the provider of each gift should not be disclosed when setting up the game. Players take turns and can either open a new gift or steal a previously opened gift.

Well my dad and I go to the mall on a hunt to find our gifts for the games. We stop by Brookstone and he pretty much had the same reaction to the frogs that I did. I pinky swear I had no input on this; he decided on his own to make the frogs his gift. I knew right then that no matter what I took I was going to get those frogs.

We brought the frogs home and Dad hid them. He wouldn't tell me what he wrapped them in and he refused to tell me where they were located. I figured it out though (of course) and I anxiously waited for the game to commence. We had nine players this year, I was number 7. My brother got number 9 so I knew he would have my back and get those frogs for me, but I still was anxious.

My poor cousin Jason, however, had to suffer for my gain. He got a couple of cool gifts but got them stolen from him, resulting in him having to pick a new one. When he went for the big bag with the snowman on it, the bag that held my beloved frogs, my fists clenched and I scooted to the edge of me seat. Seriously, it was like slow motion. He opens it up, and is enthusiastic about the best gift ever. My number comes up next, and I have an internal struggle with the situation. Jason is clearly pleased with his gift but by God, I wanted those little croakers. I briefly considered asking my father to get me my own, but I then decided that my 33-year-old cousin can go purchase those frogs himself if he really wants them. I seize the frogs and sprint out of the house screaming "They are mine!! They are mineeee!" Just kidding. In a less dramatic fashion, I clutched the box on my lap, savoring the sweet victory.

My mama was less then supportive of my decision to claim responsibility for these adorable frogs. She turns to my past experiences with pets and claims that history indicated that I am not a suited caretaker. I had a series of fish when I was younger. They all lived decent lives and parted this earth when it was their time. That was no biggie. I will give Mom credit that I have not had the best of luck in college but that should not be held against me!

Mama bought me a cool fishbowl last year, and I got myself a beta fish. My hallmates decided it would be a fun experiment to put a mirror against the fishbowl and let my little guy freak out. He smashed into the side of the bowl repeatedly for I don't know half an hour. Next thing I know the little guy is unconscious and then its goodbye Fred.we will miss you. That was a very sad moment for all of those who knew Fred.

This year, at Oktoberfest, my roomie, Kelsey, and I won some fishes from the Chemistry Club's booth. Ok truth time. My roommate won a fish. And we saved an abandoned fish. I tried the game 5 times and lost every time. The Chemistry Club finally took pity on me and gave me a fish. Kelsey named the other two Mungo and Melvin.

I named my fish Reed Williams, after the reporter for the Richmond-Times Dispatch. Nerdy, I know.

So the three fish were doing absolutely fine-- I took them home with me for fall break and all went well. Soon after break, however, we lose Mungo. It was hard, but we focused on our other two fish. Then Halloween weekend comes. Kelsey goes to her sister's house for the weekend. I am trusted to care for the two fish. I remember feeding them Saturday night. They were both fine. I did not specifically check to see if each was alive on Sunday morning, which I guess was my mistake. I go to brunch and run errands with a couple of my friends. Late in the afternoon I get a text from Kelsey. Reed Williams, the aquatic version, was gone--literally M.I.A. She could not find him. When I got back to the dorm we searched the room and found the poor guy, dead, under Kelsey's dresser all wrapped in dust from flopping around trying to climb up to the top of his bowl..

Okay so yes, I allowed one of my fish to go crazy and die, and another one died with no reason or cause, and the third one committed suicide. But that does not make me a bad caregiver! I am going to take good care of these frogs, and I will be sure to update all of you on how they are doing.

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