ONCE upon a splashing time

a little fish wished he could rhyme.

But 'Wish the Fish' lived in the sea

and brought so much calamity.

---

He seemed to be at his wits end

when Wish the Fish said to his friend,

"Please be at peace in reverent mood.

Do not do drugs or eat junk food.

Chew up your food and do not choke

and do not drink or snort or smoke."

 

But listen?  Wish's friend did not.

Bad habits grew in him a lot.

He didn't try to change his ways

and he seemed always in a daze.

His friend was Catfish, Catfish Jim -

and habits got the best of him.

 

"Just stay away!  Leave me alone.

Your voice has a disdainful tone.

Don't preach to me and do not call.

You always think you know it all.

Keep all your morals to yourself.

Leave me alone.  I love myself.

 

So Wish the Fish went on his way.

And time went on - day after day.

He prayed for Catfish Jim, of course,

to Father God, creation's source.

But facts of life are always true.

The same for me.  The same for you.

 

Are we diff'rent?  Are we special?

Do we expect a miracle?

Well, Jim called from the hospital.

He said, "I'm down... feeling awful."

Wish visited, but things looked grim.

There looking sad, was Catfish Jim.

 

"The doctor says that there's no hope.

I can't survive this downward slope.

I wish, good habits, I'd exchanged -

for good ones.  How I wish I'd changed.

You tried to help - so thank you Wish.

You tried to warn this stubborn fish."

 

Well, God will often answer prayer

and blesses us in loving care

that brings new hope and miracles

and stands us up on pinnacles.

New life for Catfish had begun.

He testifies to everyone!

---

 

 

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