Scales of Color

I stood there at the water's edge looking into the water once again. I saw fish the color of falling stars: silver, gold, blue, and also red. I laughed at my companion's expression. Our faces were lit with joy and happiness. I surveyed the mossy embankment and the towering trees. We dipped our arms into the crystal waters, and caught a fish each. He held a silver koi and I held a flaming gold one. With gentle movements, his hands caused the fish to release scale like fragments from its body. Those items it released were coin shaped and wafer thin. I too stroked my fish, and gold like flecks dusted my outstretched fingers.

"Be careful not to hurt the fish, for we must in the end release it back," I said to my comrade. He smiles at me with pearly white teeth, twinkling brown eyes, and rosey cheeks. We release the fish back into their environment and step away with lighter hearts.