Fish Tales from Tucker Lake

Pat returned to the school and told the others what had happened.
“I always knew he was a good perch,” Danny said. Even before he became Backflip, I always liked him.”
“Me too.” Pudgy wiped his eyes. He was kind and never said a bad word about anybody.”
The other fish nodded in agreement. They were all sad Baldwin was gone.
“It should have been me,” Pat said. I’m the reason Baldwin was out there. He came to stop me from making a big mistake. I wanted to be popular too. And look what it cost.”
Pudgy put a fin on Pat’s shoulder. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Sometimes bad things just happen. It’s no one’s fault.”
When Baldwin got back to the school, he found all the fish gathered close together. As he approached, they all turned to look at him. Their eyes bulged out and their jaws dropped.
“What’s the matter?” Baldwin asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“We have. I mean…when you didn’t come back, I thought the jackfish got you,” Pat said.
Pat swam over and gave his friend a big hug.
“Welcome home, Backflip!” Shark said.
“Yeah,” Pudgy added. Thank goodness you’re safe.”
“Pat told us how you saved his life. You’re a real hero, Backflip,” Danny said.
Baldwin thought it was strange how those words, the ones he thought he always wanted to hear, really didn’t matter now. What mattered was that his best friend was safe. And Baldwin learned that being small wasn’t such a bad thing. If he hadn’t fit into that jar, the jackfish would have caught him.
“I have something I need to tell you.” Baldwin told them about the lie he had told and how it had almost cost Pat’s life. He apologized and promised never to lie again.
“I’m no hero. I’m just plain Baldwin. And I’m okay with that now.”
“You’ve always been a great guy as far as we’re concerned,” Danny said.
“Yeah,” said Pudgy. We all make mistakes sometimes. Just keep being you, Baldwin.”
“Thanks. I couldn’t ask for better friends.”
“Hey!” Pat said. While we’re all here, let’s have a bubble blowing contest!”
“Great idea,” said Baldwin.
They formed a circle and started blowing bubbles. Baldwin smiled. It felt great just to be one of the guys again.