Dev’s First Swimming Lesson

A story about water safety and the courage to learn.

Dev stood at the edge of the pool with a towel round his shoulders. The water was bright blue, and it looked very deep. The sound of splashing echoed off the walls. His tummy flipped over.

“Hello, Dev,” said the instructor, Ms Tran. She had a whistle round her neck and a kind smile. “Today, we are going to learn that the water is your friend. We will start in the shallow end, where your feet can touch the floor.”

Dev stepped down the steps, one at a time. The water was cool, and it came up to his chest. He held the rail tightly. Ms Tran stayed right next to him. “You are doing well,” she said. “Take a breath, and blow some bubbles.”

Dev put his face in and blew. Bubbles fizzed up around his nose. He lifted his head, spluttering and laughing. “Again!” he said. He tried six times, and each time, he stayed under a little longer.

Next, Ms Tran handed him a float board. “Hold on, and kick your legs,” she said. Dev lay on his tummy and kicked. The water pushed against his legs and carried him along. “I am swimming!” he said.

“You are,” said Ms Tran. “Now, lie on your back and look at the ceiling. Let the water hold you up.” Dev was nervous, but she placed a hand under his shoulders. He lay back. His ears went under, and the world went quiet and floaty.

“I am floating,” he whispered. He looked up at the lights on the ceiling, and he felt his body rise on the water. He wasn’t scared at all. Ms Tran took her hand away, and he floated alone, for three whole seconds.

At the end of the lesson, Dev climbed out, dripping. “That was the best,” he said. Ms Tran gave him a sticker that said, “Brave Beginner.” He stuck it on his towel.

His father was waiting with a hot chocolate. “How was it?” he asked. Dev grinned. “I floated,” he said. “Next week, I am going to swim the whole way across.”

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