The eponymous musical counterpart is among Saint-Saëns’ better-known works. The painting is populated by a couple marine-adjacent stories that recently piqued my interest. One is of Charlotte the stingray, a round stingray at a small aquarium in the town of Hendersonville, NC - close to my home in Asheville. Charlotte appeared to have become pregnant without being in contact with a male ray, leading to the predictable deluge of internet-based hysteria. Immaculate conception?! Scientific conspiracy?! Inter-species impregnation (looking at you, sharks), and on and on.
The other story was about goldfish released in the wild and growing to striking sizes, wreaking havoc on ecosystems and taking on the role of invasive species. Goldfish bear a number of adages, one that comes to mind is that of indeterminate growth - a goldfish will grow to the size of its tank. Metaphorically speaking, one’s environment determines the level of growth and achievement, so choose wisely.