The Circle of Life...Kinda

Yesterday we went fishing with friends and the kiddo was so excited to finally be able to go fishing. After a couple of hours, we caught one but when he asked if we could keep it as a pet, I knew we were running into trouble. Hubby explained to him that fish are for food and the kiddos little eyes filled up with tears and he was heartbroken. "I don't want to eat it! I don't want him to die!!!" He was full blown bawling. I asked hubby if we could let it go and he looked at me like I was crazy but agreed to try. Unfortunately, too much time had gone by and mr. fish wasn't going to make it.
While hubby was down trying to see if he could put fish back, me and the kiddo were having a talk about it all. He declared that he would never eat sushi again (a huge deal if you know my kiddo) and he was never going fishing again. I felt so bad. I explained that animals eat eachother and even though it seems sad, that is just how it goes. I told him that if a bear had come out he would have eaten us and not felt bad about it. We're animals too and it's just part of how nature works.
We told him too much time had gone by to let the fish go but he seemed okay with it after our talk. He sat there for a bit and says, okay I feel better. I want to keep fishing. I told him that he didn't have to and we could go home but he insisted we stay. What an experience! I feel terrible for not having better prepared him. I thought he already understood. Sometimes I forget what a tender heart he is.