Augustus the Magnificent: A Little Fish with a Big Lesson About Friendship

One day, Mikey went to the fish store to pick out a goldfish of his very own. He walked slowly past all the tanks, watching the fish swim quietly in the water.

Suddenly—splash!

One bright goldfish darted to the top of the tank and leaped so high he almost jumped out of the water! He flipped and wiggled, as if he were saying, “Pick me! Pick me!”

Mikey laughed. “Wow! You are magnificent!”

Right then and there, Mikey knew what his name would be.
He named him Augustus the Magnificent.

Augustus the Magnificent was excited about his new home. Though he was happy, he felt a little sad leaving his fish friends behind at the store.

At first, everything felt wonderful. Mikey talked to Augustus while sprinkling food into his fishbowl. Mikey would watch Augustus swim and tell him about his day.

But when Mikey went to school, Augustus was all alone. He didn’t have his fish friends anymore, and the house felt very quiet.

Some days, Mikey would rush home, feed Augustus quickly, and run to the field to play ball with his friends. Augustus began to feel lonely.

“I don’t even want to swim anymore,” he thought. “I’m all alone.”

Soon, Augustus felt so sad that he barely moved in his fishbowl.

One day, Mikey was sick and had to stay home from school. As he lay on his bed, he looked over at the fishbowl and noticed Augustus was not swimming.

Mikey hurried over to the fishbowl. “Are you okay, Augustus? Are you sick too?”

All week long, while Mikey rested and got better, he talked to Augustus. He told him stories. He laughed. He sat beside the fishbowl to keep him company.

Little by little, Augustus began to swim again.

Before long, he was swimming like an Olympian! He twirled to the top, zoomed to the bottom, and flashed through the water like a rocket.
“Augustus the Magnificent!” Mikey said proudly.

When Mikey returned to school, he noticed something: Augustus floated slowly again whenever the house was quiet.

That’s when Mikey understood.
Augustus the Magnificent wasn’t sick; he was lonely.

So one day, Mikey and Dad brought home a beautiful 50-gallon aquarium. They carefully set it up with colorful rocks, swaying plants, and even a treasure chest.

Augustus was no longer alone.

Now, when Mikey was gone, Augustus had his fish friends to swim and explore with.

Augustus the Magnificent was happier than ever.

Mikey smiled as he watched the aquarium.

Augustus and his new fish friends swam happily together.

“You really are Augustus the Magnificent,” Mikey said.

Mikey learned something important:

Being magnificent isn’t about big splashes.

The most magnificent thing of all is being a loving and caring friend—just like Mikey was to Augustus.