Fermilab LInC Online

Community and Ecosystems

Our Pollution Story

Animal Web Research

River Rouge Rescue

Earth Dog

Project Rubric

The following is a work of fiction (with elements of truth) in progress. The story so far is:

Giggles was a rather large gold fish. He had lived in the Rouge River for many years after he had been abandened by his human owners. He was very happy because he had many friends in the river. He was considered a very handsome fish because he was a very deep orange color with black stripes down his sides. Giggles has aquired his name because he laughed a lot and in the process blew a lot of bubbles.

"Life is good", said Giggles to all of his friends. "We have plenty of food and our water is fresh with oxygen". The other fish agreed with Giggles for Giggles was always right. Giggles was viewed as a leader of his school and many of the fish followed him everywhere.

One day Giggles said, "I am tired of swimming in circles around here. I wonder who lives up stream and I wonder if they will like me". "I think I will take a vacation and swim upstream".

Two days later, Giggles packed a small suitcase and left for regions unknown. He left in the night so that his followers would not come. He said "I will return soon and they will not miss me".

In a short time, Giggles saw a yellow object floating in the river. "No doubt, that is another fish" , thought Giggles. "Good Morning", he called out. But the object didn't answer. Giggles swam on disappointed but he didn't know that the object was only a plastic cup that a careless picnicker had thrown in the river.

After swimming for half a day, the water became very dark, Giggles thought "It must be later than I thought. Nightime must be coming" He swam some more and the water became darker. Giggles bump his head on a pipe that came into the water. Blank gouk came out of the pipe. "Ouch", he said. "I can't see. I think I am going blind".
Giggles had to stop swimming as he could no longer see. The river's current started to gently carry him back home. Unfortunately, ..........

Please add two or three sentences to the story by typing below in the box. Keep in mind, that the focus of the story is to find solutions to water pollution. What can you do to help Giggles and the Rouge River? Your teacher will review the reponses and select one that is appropriate to continue the story. Please keep returning to suggest the next part of the story,