Littlest Fish Series | 1. Little Seahorse

Written and Illustrated by Shaizia Jifri Manekshaw (Shez), an Artist who uses modes of self-expression very much like she uses paint. She is sometimes a puppeteer, sometimes a writer, sometimes an actor, sometimes a teacher. She does, however, do all of it from a place of honesty and truth. Her art and writing come from her life. Shez is currently working on her first exhibition of paintings. Shez also happens to be a mother, which we all know is a truly full-time job with no paid leave.

Probably Relevant Author’s Note

The Littlest Fish stories are a way to convey things that moved me in the everyday living of life. I have never been a big fish myself. I am a little fish with a big heart. The Littlest Fish stories come from a place of knowing life is beautiful even when it hurts. They have no particular order or chronological timeline. Each story/vignette can be read alone.

Little Seahorse

Little Seahorse swam past Littlest Fish in class and settled down on a rock. Little Seahorse was obviously having a bad day. All the other Littles were now reading words. Little Seahorse swam in a sea pond of letters when he tried to read. Sometimes they would bubble like the bubbles from living coral.

Little Seahorse had tried to express himself through dance. He swam wildly around the school of fish. He busted moves that looked like the symbols on the page and expressed how they danced for him. The rather dim clam, who was in charge of learning… didn’t understand it. So he was sent off to the Biggest Fish in School.

Before he could swim into the Biggest Fish in School's coral cave of an office…Littlest Fish swam up. She seemed to smile at him as she swam into the office before him.

“He is having problems seeing letters like everyone else,” she stated and pointed a fin at him. “I am happy to help him learn to read and write. I am top of the class. Anyway, Miss Clam doesn’t have the time.”

The Biggest Fish in School looked like he either nodded or was going to sleep. Little Seahorse wasn't sure. 

Littlest Fish had obviously been in here before. It occurred to Little Seahorse that she was very comfortable talking to the Biggest Fish in School.

"Let’s just resolve this, by sending him to me after school and I teach him how to read and write the way everyone else does."

The Biggest Fish in School had no reason to not go along with this rather elegant solution.

He blew an approving bubble. Nodded and said "Sure."

Later Little Seahorse looked at Littlest Fish. “Why did you help me?” he asked. 

“Coz.” she replied. “You need a friend…and so do I.”