From a distance the numerous lights on the tree blend together, creating an interconnected and continuous display of light that shimmers in the darkness of the dim room. A series of interesting kaboom sounds simultaneously fills the room.
Janet smiles as her twin sons, Shane and Ryan, gasp with delight when the lights flare up even brighter than before. In the large tank next to the Christmas tree, the electric eel is feeding. He chases through the dark water emitting high voltage shocks as he tries to stun the pieces of food before consuming them.
“How does it work?” Shane asks the man in attendance, his voice shrill with excitement.
“Whenever the eel discharges electricity, sensors in the water deliver the charge to a set of speakers”, the man says. “The speakers convert the charge into the sounds you can hear and the flashing Christmas lights. The sounds are loudest and the lights brightest when he is eating or excited.”
“Wow, Mom, this has got to be the bet Christmas tree ever,” says Shane.
“Yes,” says Ryan, “the next step is to harness the charges from all the eels in the aquarium to power the lights and the other fish tanks. It’ll be the most innovative and environmentally friendly system in the world.”
This post was written for Sue Vincent’s weekly write photo challenge. You can join in here: https://scvincent.com/2019/12/05/thursday-photo-prompt-shimmer-writephoto/
roberta-writes.com 
A good one, Robbie!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Darlene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very imaginative!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an intriguing idea. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Kerfe, apparently this is already happening in the USA at one of the aquariums. I thought it was a fantastic idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this! Let’s hear it for intelligence!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My son is very interested in environmentally friendly power generation, Annette. He reads things and tells me about them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great idea! Love this, Robbie. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dorinda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At the Tennessee aquarium, there’s an eel that lights up the aquarium’s Christmas tree. Amazing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
My son, Greg, read me an article about it a few days ago. He is very keen on environmentally friendly power sources. That is where I got the idea for this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fascinating piece!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Andrea
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is something I’d love to see:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can see it at the Tennessee aquarium. It’s a bit far for me but maybe doable for you some time. Americans are very innovative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous photo and great story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks John, you should try your hand at one of these prompts again. I remember reading a great piece you had written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, that’s nice of you to say…I have been sidetracked a bit but always enjoyed participating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just don’t pot your hand in the tank! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha, Jacquie. No, I think it is better not to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool story, Robbie. That must have been quite a sight!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I would love to see it. This aquarium is in Tennessee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t realize it was a real thing! I had to look it up. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having teenage sons is very useful sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Bette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unusual story and quite delightful…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anita. It is based on a real story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes it even more amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing, Anita.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Robbie. What a story, and such a great solution to some of our most pressing problems.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many clever and innovative people in this world, Norah. Sometimes they are held back by greedy corporates who buy out their ideas and squelch them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow–using an eel to power a tree. And according to prior comments, this is really happening. Real life IS stranger than fiction, although you did a terrific job of combinng the two. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is rather incredible, Cathleen. So many clever people in this world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol sounds a bit fishy to me 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, thanks Kate
LikeLiked by 1 person
welcome Robbie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that’s different Robbie, I like it 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Willow
LikeLike
😁💜💜
LikeLike
Wonderful idea. I need to get a set of electric eels in place of our current non-current.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, and you live in the right place to do this too.
LikeLike
Great idea 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sue. Something different.
LikeLike
I wonder how many eels I would need to run my aquarium? 🙂
LikeLike
Very interesting… I knew that eels produced electricity but to harness it… I suppose as long as they (the eels) are being fed sustainable fish…then we aren’t taking advantage of them…
I can’t imagine electric eel power for a home though.
Kudos for your son for pointing out the article! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jules. I don’t think eels could produce enough power for a home but it is a step forward in thinking. I agree that the health and care of the eels is important.
LikeLiked by 1 person