I believe that the aquarists must accept their community responsibilities and serve their
fellow man wherever suffering, maladjustment, loneliness or unhappiness occurs. In
doing so, the value of the hobby of keeping fish will be enhanced, and placed on a plain
commensurate with its true and ultimate potential.
I would like to suggest that officers of all clubs or aquarium societies plan a meeting for
the sole purpose of discussing “HOW AND WHERE CAN THE HOBBY OF KEEPING
FISH DO THE MOST GOOD”. All over the country there are corrective schools for
boys, mental institutions, hospitals or homes for the incurably ill and the shut-ins. All
these people are in need of help and if we can extend a helping hand and bring these
people the pleasures of the hobby that we ourselves enjoy, then our primary goal will
have been achieved.
So what if only one small percentage of those contacted respond in the manner we may
feel is fitting? If ONLY ONE youngster is helped to become a worthy citizen, if ONLY
ONE mental patient is helped on the his way to recovery, if ONLY ONE shut-in has this
lonely, sour-walled existence made a little brighter and more cheerful, if ONLY ONE of
the incurably ill is made to feel that someone cares enough to bring a little joy into his
drab world, is not this ONE success justification for all the effect extended? Success is in
the knowing that you have been a good neighbour, that you have contributed to the welfare of those less fortunate.
Let your mind wander over the number of such areas in your community or its environs;
make a list of the places or people you know who might enjoy watching the beautiful,
fascinating inhabitants.
THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! Certainly it is going to take a little time and it is
going to take effort, but it will be worth it. Do not make the mistake of being enthusiastic
about such a program and think that you have done good job in just seeing that a few
tanks are placed.
Remember that of equal importance is giving these people a chance to talk to someone
about the fish, someone to whom they can address their questions; or perhaps just a
chance to visit. So often the people who get the most enjoyment from a few fish, lose the
interest because there is no one to talk to about their finny friends. So make repeated end
frequent visits. And above all, don?t lose your enthusiasm for the project if you do not
meet with brilliant success in one or two evenings. All you can lose is a little tine and the
least you can gain is the inner knowledge that you have been a worthy citizen and the
most you can gain is a friend.
Originally printed in the “Tropical Fish Hobbyist” November 1958
Reprinted in “Tank Talk” Vol.1 No.5 – July 1975