5-year-old Chloe Messinger wasn’t allowed to keep a fish tank in her room. The family
room had a 55-gallon tank filled with ornate Plecostomus or Suckermouth Catfish. She
often imagined that her room was a large fish tank and was able to get her mom to
decorate her room with an ocean floor theme. She had an imaginary friend she called
“Fragglefish”. Fragglefish was a cross between a merman and a catfish. He had arms but
no legs and winged fins that allowed him to glide like a flying fish. She pretended to
swim around her room with him and go on adventures. Her mom tried to teach her how
to be grateful for all the things that she was able to provide for her. They lived pretty
well in an affluent neighborhood and didn’t want her kid growing up to be a “spoiled
brat”. She told her that her grateful fish man and was very pleased and thankful to be
living in her room. “Be grateful like the fish man” she said.
Growing up, she fondly remembered her “Grateful Fishman” and could still picture him
floating in the air, being very pleased with his clasped hands and smiling face.
- Framed: 17 x 20 in (43.18 x 50.8 cm)
- Created: February 2023
Other Work From Erica Berkowitz
- Payment plans are welcome and tailored to each collector's preferences.
- Please direct questions and inquiries to Erica at [email protected] or (516) 807-4076 (texts/calls welcome)