CHILDREN'S STORY

Northern Advocate, 17 January 1920, Page 1

CHILDREN'S STORY

LEARNING TO FLOAT.

It wasn't ghosts, or wind-blown frees at night, or fires, or the tastof tomatoes > that Lilian disliked so warmly, but'just water—the sight of water, the sound of water, and still more the thought of getting into water! The unreasonable dread of water clung to her as much a_ when ; > child she. would shriek at th e sight of her bath.

"Learn to swim, please don't mention it!" implored Lilian to whom the mere thought was appalling.

"Now, Lil, don't be silly, we'll teach you," said Fred, her brother, who had broached the subject to her. This unaccountable horror of water the family considered as a decidedly unsound streak in a very jolly girl, and Fred had mad c up his mind to break her of it if he could.

The family were delighted to hear his intentions, and someone had given Lil a gay bathing cap, and another had given a smart bathing costume, all with the hope that the strong suggestion would eventually break down her prejudice.

"Fred taught me " urged young Dennis—a surprisng tribute indeed from Dennis, who at all other times would affirm that he was a self-taught swimmer. "Teach me," replied Lilian, with a laugh, "I don't believe it. It's more than your patience i s worth; you'd soon forget all about me and go splashing off by yourselves, leaving me to drown." "What mean sneaks you make us out to be," answered Fred, in an offended voice. "We wouldn't ask you if we did not think you'd be a success." Fred wondered if after all it was any earthly use trying to persuade his sister, but her next answer wag hopeful. "Oh, but y° u ' d find m ° a terrible trial." Fred brightened. "Look here, Sis., when you're once used to it you'll just about live in the water, that's a fact. That's what we do, isn't it Den.?" "Rather," said Dennis;" be a sport, Lil!" Lilian was slowly coming round. Who else had such obliging brothers —mere brothers, too? And thoughts of those bathing things stole into her mind. That decided it for her. Even Lil. longed to be able to enjoy the water a s everyone else did. "Alright, I'll go!" Her answer had a magical effect on the boys. They could hardly believe their ears. But presently Lil. strode out with all preparations (looking hard and resolute, it is true), but sh e was really going to the bathing pool.

Lil. must often have pictured herself getting into the water, or she would never have had the courage to do what she did —simply ran in and got wet all over. That was a famous start! Fred and Dennis went up to her in a moment.

"Absolutely grand, Lil.! Now the first thng to learn is how to float." went on Fred, hurriedly, for Lil. was showing signs of rueing the enterprise. "To float is the easiest thing possible. Now watch me! Fred lay back on the water while Dennis pushed him about, to prove he was absolutely as unsinkable as a cork. "Ilow'd that look?" questioned Fred. "Safe enough, but I simply couldn't do it myself!!! You're alright, but I-I-I'd sink," stammered the girl, At thi s the young tutors laughed. "What stuff are you made of different from everyon e else in the world? Look here, it's true that anyone, positively anyone can float if they try !" Lilian still looked exceedingly doubtful. "Now I'll tell you how to do it:— Lie down on th c water, throw your eh.\s t out and k ° e P your nead back> The water will do the rest, and you'll Poat! Dinkum!" "Come then and hold me up," said Lilian bravely. It wasn't necessary to be held UP» but that's what she felt like. Lil did as Fred had said, and of course the inevitable happened—she was floating! The boy s told her so. Then they took away their hands, but this also took away her confidence, and she thrust up her head. This threw the weight of her body in the middle, and she began to sink! It was a horrible sensation, but Fred and Dennis were there of course, and righted her immediately. "I'll never try if again! I told ycu I wasn't made of the stuff that floats!" "That's rubbish, Lil. Yon did float, and would be floating now if you hadn't raised your head. All you need i s confidence. Now watch J me float again. I'm going to do just what you did, for an object lesson Watch!" Fred floated again and the water just covered his ears. Then up went his head and down went his feet. He was sinking. Now he was floating again with his head thrown back as at first. To show how to move along on the back, Fred used his arms as paddles. Lilian watched, an<j was so far convinced that she wanted to try again. This time gh e floated, and

floated and floated, and even paddled along a bit!

"That's enough for one day, don't you think," said Lilian to the boys who had lost their heads upon Lil's attainment, and rashly wanted to teach her all the swimming strokes straight off.

Lilian wa 3 laughing and triumphing inside. She was amused, amused that she, actually she, had made her first plunge. She hastily pulled off her dripping wet costume, dressed, and ran off to tell her experiences.

The boys were before her, so when Lilian arrived the whole family seem-, ed to have turned out to pat her on the back and cry, "Hail, triumphant one!"

"And I can tell you it was an ordeal! If I never again reach to such dizzy heights of courage, say not my life wa s wasted!" repeated the young heroine, with great dramatic effect.

"But you can't swim yet," put in Dennis, watering down th e glory.

"Not yet, but if I get into difficulties I shall just turn over and float, and cry 'Help! Help! I shall float till help arrives!, Surely tea is ready, I could eat anything!"

RIRORIRO