Thomas walked with heavy steps to the koi-pond. He knew it had been his downfall, and he tried not to see the foreclosure signs.
It had been an obsession. But it was never an investment for him, just love of the exquisite pattern variations that only perfect breed and care would give.
He sighed and recalled the love he still felt for the dark fleck, the single imperfection, on the fin of his perfect golden one.
His compulsion had cost him business, family and home. Much like tulip bulbs, his carps could be eaten but today he just watched them.
Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy
A few words on my thoughts. Koi fishes can be quite expensive for a serious collectors but I have not heard that it has any similarities yet to the tulipomania of the 17 century in Holland, so this was pure speculation from my side here.
I will be a little absent from the blog for the rest of the week, but I will try to steal a few moments every once in a while to read the stories of Friday Fictioneers. Now into the second year Rochelle continue to give an excellent picture for the blogging community to write to. Go to her page for an introduction or follow the link below for more stories.
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October 29, 2013
Björn Rudbergs writings 
This makes me want to re-read The Black Tulip… An enjoyable read – how we can become obsessed beyond all reason!
I know an actual carp farmer. Those babies are pricey. Perhaps he simply couldn’t part with his.
Don’t be gone for too long! 🙂 Also….no recorded reading??? I enjoy those.
I found this tale quite sensitive and sentimental. The attachment to anything and the pain and hurt, separation brings.
Thoughtful writing. 🙂
great story about how our obsessions can be our destruction. i could feel his from parting with something that he has so much passion for
Business, family,and home? But those fishes are cute! Hope he can afford butter sauce if it comes to that …
Great title, Bjorn, and great story. Collecting is a weird past-time. Thomas should be applauded for seeing the fish as objects of beauty rather than cold, hard cash. But as you point out, the real world doesn’t operate like that.
Dear Björn,
A well told story of obsessive devotion. Perfect title. good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Bjorn,
You have added to my store of lore re tulips. I am a koificionado so no news there. Had I property here there would be a koi pond.
Your story was somber and affecting and perfectly captured the obsessive side of humans once a compulsion takes over. Awesome take on the prompt.
Aloha,
Doug
nice…you let us feel a bit of his heaviness in this….those compulsions will def do that….anything we get out of balance…
Nice story Bjorn; you can carry an interest just too far at times.
Obsession takes over, little by little, until it is too late…well told
I have heard of ridiculous prices for koi. Nice depiction of obsessiveness.
An obsessive compulsive disorder of a koi kind. Getting too attached to anything earthly can lead to destruction. Well told tale, my friend.
This is very cool!
Hi Bjorn,
I wanted to say thank you for reading so many of my stories. Didn’t know koi could be expensive, but I’m always amazed at the obsessions people practice. This time, in your story, to disaster. I did know about the tulip craze, and that whole floral flurry is addressed in The Orchid Thief, which I think you would enjoy if you haven’t already read it. Ron
Really fantastic Björn! The gentle rhythm took me into the story, as the intrigue built. So well written and well told. I love the way this went, and how you tied it into the tulips… doesn’t matter if the two are related, I liked the tie in. This was just great!
Hi Bjorn.
I felt the sadness of the sensitive voice telling the story, so the last line came with bite. Loved it.
Karen.
Excellent, Bjorn! A very true type of thing when obsession gets in the way of the more important things of life. Kind of adds new meaning to “carp diem” hahahaha! (OK, so I tried …)
A true collector–he couldn’t give up his collection even when faced with familial and financial ruin. Very insightful, Bjorn.
I can see how someone might be obsessive about koi. Great take on the prompt and well written. – Amy
Heavy steps indeed. But tomorrow they’ll be in the pan, no doubt. Man’s gotta eat.
I checked into the price of koi once when I thought of having a pond. They were well out of my budget and I made do with a (fish) bowl of guppies.
I’m caught by the imperfection – the single dark fleck – and wonder whether it’s indicative of Thomas’s life: perfect, but for a single flaw. Love the story
What do you do at that point, to be a serious collector and see everything disappear before you? Beautiful story.
Your title “Carpe Diem” reeled me in, laughing all the way…until the foreclosure, that is.
A very intriguing tale. I also appreciate the background.