ANIMAL SWIMMERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1940, Page 17

ANIMAL SWIMMERS

Nearly all animals can swim when the necessity arises, though few often show that they can do so. The tiger, for example, is not usually regarded as a swimmer, but it has been known to cross not only rivers, but an arm qf the sea a mile wide in the Singapore Strait. Elephants are well-known swimmers and cross the mile-wide Brahmaputra; a kangaroo has been seen to swim two miles in the sea; and even hares and rabbits will take to the water. Study of the subject seems to lead to the concluson that all animals have inherited the ability to swim from some remote ancestor.

TT was raining when Clare awoke. A soft pit- pit-a-patter which made her snuggle down into her warm blankets again—glad it was a holiday. She had a strange feeling inside her which she couldn't understand —then cuddenly she remembered —it was her birthday. She sprang out of bed, forgetting cold and rain, and peered out at the sky. Nothing but,grey, while the trees shook in their silyer cloaks. "Oh, dear," she cried, "I knew it would —now, why was I born in winter! She and Bunny had been going to explore the Fisherman's Cave. Then she looked at her watch and hope sprang into her eyes. "Why," she laughed, "it's only 3 o'clock. It's sure to clear before 9." She hopped back to bed but sleep was impossible. The minutes passed slowly and Clare pictured Bunny and herself on the rocks. Clare's house stood in a little cove and a little further, just above the beach, Bunny and his parents lived in their tiny cottage. His parents were Portuguese and earned their living by what came out of the sea. A friendship had grown between the two children and they spent most of their time together. The early hours of the morning drifted away and Clare was awakened from her doze by the pulling of her blind and her mother's cheery voice saying, "Well, well! Fancy sleeping in on your birthday! I think you're going to have a fine day after all." Clare jumped out again, and' gazed rapturously at a feeble sun. . Her mother, after wishing her a Happy Birthday, handed her a small parcel. "From your father and me," she said quietly, as Clare fumbled with her wrappings. A tiny box appeared, and lying on some cotton wool lay a gold watch. Words failed her for a moment, then she hugged her mother delightedly and ran to thank her father. "How does it feel to be 15?" asked her father, smiling at her rosy face. "Ever so much," said Clare, as she seated herself for breakfast.