A SMASHING, SPLASHING TIME
"We are having our first swimming lesson today," Miss Snake said to the class.
"I can already swim," Liam Lion moaned.
"I know that most of you can swim but we're going to learn about how to be safe in the water as well," Miss Snake explained.
Zach Zebra was worried. He didn't know how to swim. He put his paw up.
"Miss Snake, can I stay here?" he asked. "I don't want to learn how to swim. I don't think zebras are supposed to swim."
"Everyone can learn how to swim," Miss Snake smiled. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Zach."
Zach was sure he wouldn't enjoy it but he picked his swimming bag up and joined the other animals as they waited at the door.
Maisie Monkey stood next to Zach.
"I can't swim either," she said. "Shall we be partners?"
"Okay," Zach smiled.
Miss Snake led the animals out of the school and into the jungle. A few minutes later they arrived at the water hole where they were going to have swimming lessons.
"It's enormous!" Zach began to worry again.
Two hippos stood at the side of the water hole. They smiled at the animals.
"Hi!" the biggest hippo called. "We're your swimming instructors. Welcome to the wonderful water hole! You're going to have a smashing, splashing time! I'm Mr Hippo-One."
"And I'm Mr Hippo-Two. If you're ready to swim give me a big cheer!"
The animals cheered.
Except Zach.
I want to go home, he thought. I want to go home to my mum. I want to go home to my mum and stay in bed.
The animals changed into their swimming things. Eddie Elephant noticed that Zach looked sad so he tried to cheer him up.
"Hey Zach! Look at me!" Eddie called. "I've got my swimming trunks on my trunk!"
Zach chuckled, "You look funny."
"Edward Elephant! Stop messing about!" Miss Snake shouted from behind a bush.
"How does she know I'm messing about?" Eddie whispered.
"I know everything," Miss Snake replied. "Now hurry up."
When all the animals had changed into their swimming things they stood in front of Mr Hippo-One and Mr Hippo-Two.
"If you can already swim come over to me," said Mr Hippo-One.
All of the animals, except Zach and Maisie, walked over to Mr Hippo-One.
Mr Hippo-Two smiled at Zach and Maisie and said, "You two come with me. We'll soon have you swimming."
Zach's legs felt a bit wobbly as he followed Mr Hippo-Two to the shallow end of the water hole. His tummy felt peculiar as Mr Hippo-Two put armbands on him and Maisie.
"Are we ready to go in the water?" Mr Hippo-Two asked.
"Yes," said Maisie.
"No," said Zach.
"I'll go in first," said Mr Hippo-Two. "It's not very deep here."
He stepped into the water. The water came up to his knees.
"I don't want to go in," Zach began to shake.
"That's okay, you can come in when you're ready," Mr Hippo-Two said.
Maisie walked into the water.
"It's lovely and warm," she told Zach.
Maisie walked further in until the water came up to her tummy. Zach sat down and watched as Mr Hippo-Two helped Maisie to kick her legs and move her arms.
"I'm swimming!" Maisie laughed. "Come in, Zach, it's fun!"
Zach stayed where he was.
Mr Hippo-Two got out of the water and walked over to Zach. Maisie followed him.
They sat down next to Zach.
"Why don't you want to go in the water?" Mr Hippo-Two asked gently.
"I'm scared," Zach muttered.
"What of?" Mr Hippo-Two asked.
"I can't tell you. You'll think I'm silly," Zach said.
"I won't think you're silly at all," Mr Hippo-Two smiled. "There's only us three here. No one else can hear you."
"Okay," Zach said. "I'm scared of sinking in the water! I think I'll sink all the way down to the bottom and never come up again."
"You won't sink. You've got your armbands on and when you learn to swim you won't even need those," Mr Hippo-Two explained. "And look at the size of me. I'm much bigger than you and I don't sink!"
"Yes, he's much bigger and fatter," Maisie pointed out.
"I'm scared of monsters too," Zach said. "Ones that live in the water and want to eat zebras for their lunch!"
Mr Hippo-Two said, "There are definitely no monsters in this water hole."
"And if there was a monster in there I would punch him on the nose," Maisie said.
Zach laughed as he thought of little Maisie punching a big monster on the nose.
Zach looked over to the other side of the water hole. The Tiger twins were twirling in the water together. Liam Lion was diving in. Chester Crocodile was snapping at the water. Miss Snake was shouting at someone.
I don't want to be the only one that can't swim, Zach thought. He was nearly ready to go in. There was just one more thing that was bothering him.
"Do you think my stripes will come off in the water?" he asked.
"No, your stripes are with you forever," Mr Hippo-Two smiled. "Are you ready to go in now?"
Zach nodded and stood up.
Maisie and Mr Hippo-Two walked up to the water with Zach.
Zach took his first step. "The water's warm," he smiled.
He took another step. And another until he was in the water up to his tummy. He walked about a bit and moved his front legs around in the water.
"This isn't scary at all," Zach laughed.
"And there are no monsters and your stripes haven't fallen off," Maisie added.
When Zach had got used to the water Mr Hippo-Two helped him to lie on his tummy. He showed Zach how to move his arms and legs. Soon, Zach was moving through the water without any help.
Mr Hippo-Two said to Zach, "Do you know what you're doing?"
Zach shook his head.
"You're swimming!" Mr Hippo-Two smiled.
"Yeah!" Zach cheered. "I'm swimming! Maisie! I'm swimming!"
"I know! Me too!" Maisie called back.
Zach and Maisie swam for a little while longer.
Mr Hippo-Two looked at his watch and said, "Swimming lesson over. You two were brilliant! I'll see you next week. Have you had a good time?"
"I've had a great time," Maisie replied.
Zach grinned, "I've had a smashing, splashing time!"