Humans of Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad - Vaishnavi Bala (DP1)

I looked after him like it was the sole purpose of my existence, I was concerned every time one had to change the water hoping it wouldn’t disturb that little fish. It was funny how much I was around Nemo, he must’ve been annoyed. Like the gullible kid I was, I talked to the fish about how my day at school was, which friend was mean to me and which teacher drew a star in my notebook. One morning, as I hurried to the bowl to see how Nemo was doing, weirdly, he wasn’t swimming around like he typically does, he was floating in the corner and didn’t flap his fins. I tapped on the glass assuming he was asleep and yet he didn’t budge. Later that day, my mom told me that Nemo was gone. It broke my heart and had me crying for hours.

 

That day, it was just a loss that made me cry but as I grew older and started reflecting on it, I realized that there was more to it than just owning a pet. Making room for Nemo in my home taught me kindness and compassion. I learned responsibility while I was looking after him and finally, the most significant lesson was to let go. Letting go was undoubtedly the most painful. If something is out of one’s hands, there is nothing one can do about it. The whole experience has left me changed in many ways. I have a new appreciation for life. I have a new understanding of unconditional love and compassion.