Walking the Plank
I had the potential to compete in the Olympics. I was an eight-year old girl with a lot of talent. It was a typical swimming-lesson day and I had just walked out of the girls' change room and into the poolroom. The smell of chlorine quickly floated into my nostrils as I walked to the north-end of the pool where my swimming instructor and my other swim-mates awaited for me. I didn't know that the lesson that I receive this day in my life would change my dreams and the way I thought about many things forever.I had always seen swimming in a positive light. The feel of the warm water on my sensitive skin; the variety of fun games, such as water basketball, we could play; and most of all, how relaxing and comfortable it made me feel; made me love this sport. As far as I was concerned, I was born to explore the seas and oceans, and of course, compete internationally! I had quickly made it over and took a seat on the cold gray-painted concrete floors along with everyone else. "Our lesson will begin in two minutes class, so get into the pool and start warming up!" Mrs. Harrington shouted to us in her soft feminine voice once again before she started the lesson. "Yes, Mrs. Harrington," we all retorted simult
As I made it to the surface, the sound of hollering joyful children got louder and louder. Many of them were racing back and forth or playing tag, but I was content being by myself and enjoying the warmth of the water. "Toot!" The sound of Mrs. Harrington's whistle quickly caught the other children's attention and mine. We all quickly swam like a school of fish to the north-end of the pool where she stood waiting for us. "Is everybody ready?" she asked smiling sweetly. "Just hold onto this and you will be fine," she said pointing the pole in my direction. She was beginning to look impatient, a side of her that I have never seen before. Her blue eyes looked as cold as ice, all the warmness in her cheek was suddenly gone, and instead of a smile on her face she had a frown. In fear of angering her further, I nodded my head and grabbed onto the loop with both hands. aneously. I got up excitedly and went straight for the pool. I lined my little toes at the edge of the pool, and jumped in spectacularly like a Great Blue Heron diving for fish. The water quickly engulfed me as I swam deeper down. Underneath, the water looked so blue as though it was ocean water. The beautiful speckled blue and white tiles were symmetrically arranged creating patterns of triangles and squares. As I began to run out of air, I pushed the bottom of the pool with my toes and quickly shot towards the surface for air. I looked at her with a terrified expression and retorted softly, "I don't want to jump." Suddenly, the other children started to laugh hysterically like hyenas at me. Ever since that day in the year 1989, I have never really gone "swimming". Sure, I wade in the shallow end of the pool sometimes with my friends, but never will I again enter the deep dark end of the pool where the diving board stands. Who cares about the Olympics! -------------------
Some common words found in the essay are:
Dive Oh, Blue Heron, Jean Harrington, Walking Plank, Dead Sea, Yes Harrington, diving board, bock bock, bock bock bock, north-end pool, bottom pool, onto loop, grabbed onto,
Approximate Word count = 1260
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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