What IS that?

Standing on my balcony this morning, taking in the scene, i spot something washed up on the tide line. Looks like a fish. I watch as passersby pass by and I observe that no one, NOT ONE, can go past this thing without stopping and getting a good look at it. For awhile i watch their reactions. Its the same with everyone, they see it from a distance, they do a double take, then they move closer, everytime, for a more detailed inspection. Some take pictures. Then usually, after their curiousity is satisfied, after a certain time, they turn away kind of in disgust. I watch this over and over. And i watch two separate fathers with young children who won't let their kids go near it. What is so damn interesting about a dead fish washed up in the tide? And creating this ... rather unusual reaction from everybody? Finally I can't stand it anymore, i throw on some pants, lock my door and stroll out there in my bare feet to check it out for myself.

What it is is ... a moray eel, one guy says a leprachaun eel, but i am unsure about eel varieties. It's dead, for sure. But the thing is that... it has the most spell-binding pattern all over it. Like... psychadelic giraffe skin or something. It is simultaneously gruesome and gorgeous, not unlike life can be at times, no? Its no wonder we are mesmerized.