JAPAN IS THE MECCA for Koi. They are part of the culture, much like dogs and cats are here in America. One big difference, however, is that most of these wet pets outlive their owners. In fact, fish are often passed down from generation to generation, as the valuable heirlooms they are.

In one village, the fish in a family's pond had been passed down through so many generations , that the original ancestors who'd kept these prized fish could not even be recalled. Knowing, though, that these were some old fish, it was decided that someone should find out just how old they were.

Working with a local university, a few of the fish gave up some scales for the sake of science. When the scientists tested the scales, even they were amazed at the results. The older fish alive in that pond had been around for an amazing 226 years! Two of his fellow pond dwellers were 180 and 156 years old, respectively.

The moral of the story? Take good care of your Koi, because maybe some day your great, great, great, great, great grandchildren's grandchildren will enjoy gazing at these truly amazing creatures.

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The pebble in the brook secretly thinks itself a precious natural stone| natural limestone.