It was a sunny afternoon and Snap the snapper was swimming home from school, when he caught sight of a newspaper clipping in the window of Trimswimham's.

It was about the St.George's Harbour Christmas parade that is held every year.

Snap thought th at if he got in, he would become popular with the other fish in his class, so Snap swam into Trimswimhams and picked up an entry form. He rushed home as fast as his little fins could carry him, so when he got home he decided to have a nap before his mother arrived.

When he awoke, his mother was staring down at him. Snap bolted right up and announced, "Mom, I'm going to enter the St.George's Harbour Christmas parade.'' His mother had a concerned look on her face. Snap asked, "What's the matter, Mom? Don't you think I can do it?'' "Of course I think you can do it, it's just that I think they will reject you for what you look like, where you live, and your popularity, that's all,'' his mother said.

After hearing this, Snap decided that he was more determined than ever to get into this parade and win it! "Mom, I don't care what you think they will do, I'm going to make it in, and I will make you so proud of me. I know that you think that I should start thinking about other fish other than myself at this time of year, but Mom, every year, Grace the Angelfish wins.

"She is supposed to go around and help the sick and old fish, but she doesn't. She just says she does. I don't think that for one second, she deserves the prize, but I do, because I will actually go around and help other fish,'' Snap argued.

Snap's mother could hear the determination in his voice and decided to let him try to make it in.

His mother gave in and said, "All right, but if they don't allow you in the parade don't tell me I didn't warn you. Now, where is this form I have to sign?'' "Hurrah! I get to be in the St.George's Harbour Christmas parade! Here, Mom, this is the form you have to sign,'' Snap said, handing his mother the form.

Snap looked at his watch and thought to himself, `Maybe I should go to bed early tonight. I want to look presentable tomorrow when I hand this form in.' In the morning, Snap swam really fast to Trimswimhams, the place where the forms were handed in. When he got there, three judges were sitting there with bright smiles on their faces. Snap handed his form to Gills the Grouper, who looked at him with a disgusted look. When Snap saw this his smile faded and he asked, "Gills what's the matter? Aren't I allowed to enter?'' "There's something fishy going on here. I've had strict instructions to enter only the most beautiful and popular fish of Bermuda,'' Gills glubbed.

"Why don't you try out for the band with the Sergeant Major?'' All three judges laughed. Instead of crying, Snap took his form and swam out of Trimswimhams. Then, he had the most brilliant idea, and swam really fast to the Underwater Royal Gazette building.

When Snap got there, he saw that the building was covered with lights and seaweed, and looked beautiful. He swam up to the editor's desk and asked him to publish a very important letter in the newspaper. He asked if he could write, `Could all fish of St. George's Harbour please attend a very important meeting tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. at the Town Square about the Christmas parade? Thank you.' Then Snap decided to go home and tell his mother the news. Slowly, he swam passed all the decorative houses, smiling to himself. He couldn't wait until tomorrow.

When he got home, he said, "Mom, I'm having a meeting tomorrow about the Christmas Parade because I didn't get into it,'' Snap said proudly.

"Why are you so happy, Snap? Shouldn't you be upset? I know you think this idea will work, but what if it doesn't?'' His mother asked cautiously.

"Mom, don't worry about me. I know it will work. Just trust me. Your unpopular fish will become popular in one second flat. It will work, Mom, I promise,'' Snap said confidently.

The next day came, and Snap stood up on a podium and began the speech that had taken him hours to prepare the night before. Hundreds of fish gathered around him and Snap felt so powerful.

He started reading, "I know that many of you think that being pretty and popular is a gift and that those of you who are, should be treated differently. Well, those of you who think that way are wrong, and having a Christmas parade for the fish that are prettiest and most popular are wrong and disgusting.

"Well, the main reason I am here is because I'm telling you the real reason for Christmas. The real meaning of Christmas is friendship and love, and peace and harmony. It's a time for giving and thinking of other fish than you. I think that this year should be the season of change, the first year in twenty-five years that this Christmas parade is not taking place for the pretty and popular fish but for talented fish.

"Fish should not be judged by what they look like and how popular they are, but by who they are and what their personality is like. I hope you take my speech into consideration in judging this year's St. George's Christmas parade. Thank you for listening to me.'' Snap started swimming down when suddenly a roar of cheers and bubbles came up from the crowd. All the Snappers, Groupers, Cowfish and the Tuna gave him a standing ovation. Snap felt a rush of excitement go up and down his spine.

A few minutes later, the fish that held the parade every year, came up and shook Snap's fin and said, "Thank you very much for giving me a better idea for this year's Christmas parade. Now, everybody will know the true meaning of Christmas and my Christmas parade.'' Snap asked, "Does this mean that any fish with talent can enter the competition?'' "Of course it does, and I hope you were not offended when the judges told you that you weren't pretty or popular enough to take part in the competition, because now every fish see you in a different way. Thank you again,'' said the manager as he swam away.

The next day Snap was getting ready for the talent show in the star's room when they called his name to go on stage. He swam up and started singing, `Under the Sea' and dancing as the other fish blew bubbles and sang along with him.

Every fish was having a wonderful time, and, at the end of his performance, the shellfish clipped their claws, the scallops clicked their shells blew bubbles. Snap had never been so popular.

When every single fish had performed, they started announcing the winners of the competition. They announced third place, then second place. Then the announcer shouted, "First place goes to...Snap the Snapper!'' Snap had never been so thrilled in his entire life. He swam up and received his prize. His mother was so proud of him.

That Christmas was the happiest Christmas for Snap ever. His Christmas wish had come true, and he finally had friendship, love, peace and harmony all at once.

SHORT STORY COMPETITION CPN