Leo the little lion cub wasn't very excited about swimming lessons. Every Tuesday, he’d walk with his mama to the Sunny Shores pool, and every Tuesday, his tummy would feel like it was full of fluttering butterflies. He loved splashing in puddles after a rain shower, but a whole pool? That seemed enormous and a little bit scary.
He watched the other cubs dive and glide through the water, looking so confident and happy. Leo would just cling to the side, his paws gripping the cool tiles. He tried to put his face in, but he always popped back up, giggling nervously. ‘It’s okay to be scared, little one,’ his mama would say, ‘but don’t let fear stop you from trying.’
One Tuesday, a friendly otter named Olivia noticed Leo sitting alone. She swam over, her sleek fur glistening in the sunlight. ‘Hi! I’m Olivia. You look a little worried. Are you new to swimming?’ Leo nodded shyly. ‘I… I don’t really like putting my face in the water,’ he confessed.
Olivia smiled. ‘That’s perfectly alright! Lots of cubs feel that way at first. Would you like me to show you a little trick? It helps to blow bubbles!’ She demonstrated, taking a deep breath and gently blowing bubbles underwater. Leo giggled. It *did* look fun.
Olivia patiently showed Leo how to hold his breath for just a moment, and then blow bubbles. She didn’t push him, she just encouraged him. Slowly, Leo started to feel a little braver. He tried blowing bubbles, and then another, and another! He even managed to put his whole face in for a second!
‘See?’ Olivia said. ‘You’re doing amazing! Now, let’s try kicking your legs. Pretend you’re a little boat, pushing through the water.’ Leo practiced kicking, and Olivia swam beside him, offering gentle guidance. He wasn’t gliding like the other cubs yet, but he was moving!
Each week, Leo and Olivia practiced together. Olivia never laughed when Leo splashed or sputtered. She always cheered him on, reminding him that learning takes time and effort. Leo started to look forward to Tuesdays. He still felt a little nervous, but now, he also felt excited.
One day, Leo realized something amazing. He wasn’t clinging to the side of the pool anymore! He was kicking and paddling, and actually *swimming*! He looked at Olivia and grinned. ‘I’m doing it! I’m really swimming!’
Olivia beamed. ‘I knew you could! You were brave enough to try, and you didn’t give up. That’s what matters most.’ Leo swam around the pool, feeling proud and confident. He had faced his fear, made a new friend, and discovered the joy of swimming. And as he swam, he knew that even when things seem scary, a little courage and a good friend can make all the difference.
That night, tucked into bed, Leo thought about his swimming lesson. He wasn’t afraid anymore. He knew that even if something felt hard, he could try his best, and with a little help, he could achieve anything. He closed his eyes, dreaming of splashing and gliding through the water with Olivia, the friendly otter.