Poppy's First Splash: story transcript
Page 1
Poppy's First Splash
Page 2
On the way to her first swimming lesson, Poppy marched beside Orla the otter. Her little brass tag jingled. "I'll be across the pool before you can blink," Poppy said. "Then I'd better keep my eyes open," said Orla.
Page 3
The shallow pool smelled of clean water and sun-warmed stone. Poppy walked to the steps. One paw hovered above the water. It would not go down. Neither would the other three. Even her striped tail seemed to hold its breath.
Page 4
"Perhaps I should teach the steps to swim first," Poppy said. She tapped the top step. "Come on, then!" Orla smiled and waited beside her. The steps stayed put. So did Poppy, though her tag gave a tiny, nervous jingle.
Page 5
Poppy counted the tiles along the edge. She straightened her teal collar. She counted the tiles again, this time backward. Orla sat down nearby. "We have plenty of time," she said. Poppy looked at the water. The water looked back, all wobbly and bright.
Page 6
"I said I could swim," Poppy whispered. "But I'm frightened to put my paws in." Orla's whiskers twitched gently. "Thank you for telling me. We don't have to swim today." Poppy's ears lifted a little. "We don't?" "No," said Orla.
Page 7
Orla rested her broad paws on the dry tiles. "You can watch, or sit at the edge, or try touching the water. You choose." Poppy thought about each one. Watching felt safe. Sitting at the edge felt possible. "I'll sit," she said.
Page 8
Poppy settled on the wide, dry edge while Orla stayed beside her. Her paws were still far from the water. She listened to its little lap-lap against the tiles. After a while, she stretched one cream paw forward. Then she drew it back.
Page 9
"May I try just one paw?" Poppy asked. "Of course," said Orla. Poppy reached down and patted the water. Plip! A drop sprang up and landed on her pink nose. Poppy blinked, then laughed so hard her brass tag jingled again.
Page 10
"It got me first!" Poppy said. She patted the water once more, a little louder. Orla laughed with her. When it was time to leave, Poppy looked over her shoulder at the pool. "Could we come back tomorrow?" "I'd like that," said Orla.
Page 11
At home, Poppy curled up warm and dry in her blanket. Her paws had not swum a stroke. One had made a splash, though, and she could still feel that cool drop on her nose. Tomorrow, she thought, and her tail curled close.
