Luna loved watching the other children splash and play in the shimmering blue pool. It looked like so much fun! But Luna herself stayed firmly on the side, toes curling, a little knot of worry twisting in her tummy. She was scared of the water. Really, really scared.
Every summer, Luna’s family visited the seaside town of Coral Cove. Her older brother, Kai, was a natural swimmer, darting through the waves like a playful dolphin. He tried to encourage Luna, but she’d just shake her head and build elaborate sandcastles instead. ‘It’s okay to be scared,’ her mom would say, ‘but don’t let fear stop you from trying new things.’
This year, though, things felt a little different. A new girl named Willow was taking swimming lessons with Kai. Willow wasn’t a fast swimmer, but she always had a bright smile and a kind word for everyone. One afternoon, Luna was watching Kai and Willow practice their floating when Willow noticed her.
‘Hi!’ Willow called out, paddling closer. ‘Do you like watching us swim?’ Luna nodded shyly. ‘It looks…fun,’ she whispered. ‘It *is* fun!’ Willow exclaimed. ‘But it can be a little scary at first. I was scared too, you know. I used to think the water was going to swallow me whole!’
Luna giggled. ‘Swallow you whole?’ Willow laughed. ‘It felt like it! But my instructor, Mr. Finn, showed me how to float. It’s like being a starfish! Want to try?’ Luna hesitated. The knot in her tummy tightened. But Willow’s smile was so warm and encouraging, she found herself nodding again.
Willow gently led Luna to the shallow end of the pool. ‘Okay, first, let’s just get your face wet,’ she said. Luna squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself. Willow poured a little water over her forehead. It wasn’t so bad! Then, Willow showed her how to blow bubbles. Luna practiced, giggling as bubbles tickled her nose.
Next, Willow helped Luna practice floating on her back. It was wobbly at first, and Luna kept sinking a little, but Willow was right there, supporting her. ‘Look up at the sky,’ Willow instructed. ‘Pretend you’re a cloud.’ Luna did as she was told, and slowly, she began to feel herself relax. She was floating!
A huge grin spread across Luna’s face. It *was* fun! She wasn’t being swallowed by the water; she was floating on top of it, light as a feather. Kai swam over, beaming. ‘See? I told you you’d love it!’
Luna spent the rest of the afternoon practicing with Willow, slowly gaining confidence with each splash and kick. She wasn’t swimming laps like Kai, but she was no longer afraid. She was having fun, and that’s all that mattered. She learned that even when things seem scary, having a friend and being brave enough to try can make all the difference.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Luna and Willow walked hand-in-hand towards the changing rooms. ‘Thank you, Willow,’ Luna said. ‘You helped me be brave.’ Willow squeezed her hand. ‘Anytime, Luna! That’s what friends are for.’
That night, as Luna snuggled into bed, she thought about her day at the pool. The knot in her tummy was gone, replaced by a warm, happy feeling. She closed her eyes, dreaming of shimmering blue water, playful splashes, and the joy of swimming with a friend. And she knew, with a happy certainty, that tomorrow she would swim again.