Monkey Business

Do you remember Sea Monkeys? 

I saw them for the first time on the toy store shelf when I was about seven years old.  The Sea Monkey package depicted small human-like creatures with fins and crowns.  The directions promised that once the contents were sprinkled into water, these small creatures would instantly come to life. They were alleged to play games, perform stunts and obey commands.   Instant, happy pets in a package! 

I was completely captivated by Sea Monkeys.  I begged my mother for them.  I promised a litany of things in exchange for their purchase.  Cleaning my room, taking out the trash, doing the dishes.  Many promises ensued before we finally left the store, Sea Monkeys in hand.  In the car, I smiled at the thought of having my very own Sea Monkeys while, on the package, the entire Sea Monkey family smiled back at me as they lounged in front of their Sea Monkey sea castle.  

At home, I scrounged around for my old fishbowl and quickly filled it with water.   Enthusiastically, I ripped open the first of two packets and dumped the contents in the bowl.  I had to wait for the next day to add the second packet.  When the wait was finally over, I sprinkled the second packet in the bowl and peered inside.   It took a little while, but eventually, some very small creatures began to show up.

I was overjoyed!  I began planning all the things I would do with my Sea Monkeys.  Games were at the top of my list.  I heard that you could teach them baseball!  I heard that you could train them like dolphins.  I heard that they would listen to my commands.  I envisioned an entire tank of little swimming people doing my bidding.  I wondered how I could get them to help with the chores I had so readily agreed to just the day before.

It wasn’t long, though, before I realized that these little creatures growing in my fishbowl were never going to look like the cute little people on the package.  In fact, the more they grew, the less they looked like them.  I was crushed at this realization.  Gone were my dreams of Sea Monkey baseball and Sea Monkey sea races.   Forget about buying the Sea Monkey treats and Sea Monkey vitamins.  Nevermind about the Sea Monkey Sea Diamond toys. 

I suppose it’s possible that on some level I knew that Sea Monkeys were too good to be true.  Certainly, my mother tried to warn me in the store.  Thinking back, however, I still have fond memories of a time when the possibility of Sea Monkeys existed for me.  Not the little creatures themselves, of course, but the feelings of wonder and enchantment that I experienced.  Of a time where sticks can become magic wands, beds can become boats and blanket tents can become vast castles guarded by knights who strangely resemble teddy bears to on-looking adults.   

Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” 

It is the door to possibility.  It is the ability to dream of new and exciting things far beyond what we know or what we think is possible.  The ability to engage our imagination frees our creativity, ignites our passion and provides hope.  There is no limit to our imaginations, whether we are young or old.   And, we can use it to change our lives or even the world.