6 Aqua-phobia!

CHAPTER 6 AQUA-PHOBIA! I've always been afraid of the water. I'd rather stand on land than sink in the drink. It's fine for fish, but it's not my wish. But now, I have to learn how to swim. COME CLOSER AND BRING YOUR DOG. GRRRR.

My mom signs me up and takes me down to the public swimming pool. It's big! And it's full of water! It's six feet deep. Maybe I should go home and grow. I'll come back when I'm eight feet tall.

A nice lady comes over. She's got a whistle and a clipboard. "I'm Miss Titanic, your swim instructor," she says. "I want to miss this Titanic," I mutter. "What?" she asks. "Uh, nice to meet you, Miss Titanic," I reply. QUACK.

"You must be Hubie," she says with a smile. "Do I have to be?" I answer. "You're right on time for your lesson," she says, checking her clipboard. "Can I wait a couple of years?" I ask. "Are we a little afraid of the water?" she laughs. "Not if it's in a cup," I say. "Just pretend that the pool is a big cup," she replies. "I'm not that thirsty," I say, as she puts water wings on each of my arms.

"Let's start off in the shallow end," she says, taking my hand. "Any puddle is fine," I say. "Come on, Hubie." She leads me down the steps into the pool. The water is very wet.

"Now duck, Hubie," she says. "Quack, quack." "No. Duck down," she laughs. I shut my eyes, hold my breath, and duck down. Phew! Waaaf! Schlurp! "Now was that so bad?" she asks. "Actually, it wasn't," I sigh.