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Live Sea-Monkeys

November 14, 2021 9 Comments

By Michael Slagle

Stevie loves the advertisements at the back of his favorite comic books as much as he does the characters’ stories. Issue after issue tempts him: the Whoopie Cushion, the Atomic Joy Buzzer, and the slightly naughty X-Ray Spex. But the ad for Live Sea-Monkeys is the one that induces him to part with one dollar (plus 30 cents shipping)—a hefty chunk of his hard-earned allowance.

His head swims with visions of the ‘instant pets’ hatching and maturing into the tiny humanoids pictured; of their frolics delivering endless entertainment.

Reality delivered: brine shrimp larvae that spawn a lifelong distrust of advertising.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alastair says

    November 14, 2021 at 7:03 am

    So very relateable!!

    Reply
  2. Helen C says

    November 14, 2021 at 8:07 am

    Absolutely relatable

    Reply
  3. Joan Reed says

    November 14, 2021 at 8:08 am

    So true!

    Reply
  4. Scott Brian Blanke says

    November 14, 2021 at 8:16 am

    Did that! Unfortunately also the fake naughty X-ray specs.

    Reply
  5. Peggy Gerber says

    November 14, 2021 at 10:19 am

    Wow, did this bring back memories. And I still see ads for them.

    Reply
  6. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    November 14, 2021 at 11:28 am

    Ain’t that he truth… definitely describes a common problem… well written… kudos…

    Reply
  7. Liz says

    November 14, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    Yes, having longed for them since I was a pup, I got some for my kids… Disappointment thirty years in the making! Nice piece!

    Reply
  8. Liz says

    November 15, 2021 at 1:27 am

    Absolutely true. ( I did exactly the same thing when I was little)
    Excellent story.

    Reply
  9. Jen says

    November 17, 2021 at 7:27 am

    Me too! Brings back memories…

    Reply

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