Elightenment

Paul: I was in complete darkness until yesterday, but something forced me from my blissful universe.
Gloria: But... What forced you out? It sounds like you enjoyed the place.
Paul: I'm not so sure, I just became overwhelmingly compelled to leave, all my brothers and sisters left with me when i did.
Paul: No, I would have left without them, but I couldn't have survived without their help.
Gloria: Oh?
Paul: Oh yes! They all gave their lives so I could come here and-- well, swim around I guess.
Gloria: All of them? For you? How?
Paul: We all left together, in a very large number, one by one we were picked off by anything that deemed one of us a suitable meal. Only three of us made it to the water, and the other two were eaten by bigger fish. I'm all that's left.
Gloria: I'm sorry to hear that. So you don't have a purpose after all that? At least none you know of?
Paul: Nope, I felt I couldn't stay they any longer, that I had to be here. Now that I'm here, I don't know what to do. Perhaps I could swim and eat, maybe go back one day to plant small souls of my own.
Gloria: It seems if that is your purpose, that is all that is needed. But shouldn't there be more? Surely living to survive isn't enough reason to fight for existence.
Paul: I see where you're going, but if that is the case, my siblings should have lived as well. It isn't fair they should miss out on an experience such as happiness.
Gloria: What about they prey, those who ate your brethren?
Paul: I hate them! they're monsters! They shouldn't exist!
Gloria: But you must eat fish in order for your own survival, those fish have a happiness that you took from them the same as your brothers and sisters. Perhaps the monsters were trying to survive, for their own happiness, happiness the rest of your kind were able to give them.
Paul: Happiness derived from pain...
Gloria: consider the fish you eat to survive, was their death not worth your happiness? or would you prefer only theirs while you starve and die?
Paul: No, I guess not, it's just...
Gloria: I think a variety of happiness is better than a bunch of wimpy fish, wouldn't you say? As long as nobody gets completely wiped out, I think it's all for the best.
Paul: so all I have to do is go out and be happy, despite what it could do to others?
Gloria: Yes, you shouldn't wade about and worry about what you've lost, but consider what could be.

Gloria swims a circle around Paul. Her vertical fins trailing behind.

Gloria: Well we should both be going now, look!

Gloria motions behind Paul then swims off in the other direction, a giant fish is headed his way. Paul swims away before there is a chance to see what kind it is.