The "Goldfish" Being the Confessions af a Successful Man

"The 'Goldfish'" by Arthur Cheney Train is a thought-provoking story about a prosperous man questioning if he squandered his life chasing the wrong goals. Approaching his fiftieth birthday, the protagonist contemplates whether his accomplishments have actually brought him joy and a sense of contentment. Though he has financial stability, a loving family, and a respected place in his community, he has an inner feeling that something is missing and that he has not lived a life of meaning. His examination of past experiences, such as a disappointing theater outing with his family, leads him to believe that his life is a circular race to nowhere. This sets him off on a journey to really look closely at his own life and the values of the wealthy society he is part of.