The Red Swimming Cap

It was the first warm day of May. The pool was open again. Esi wanted to swim.

Her gran sat by the water in a big coat. She did not swim now. Her legs were old. But she watched, and she smiled.

In her bag, Gran had an old red cap. It was very old. She wore it many years ago, when she was young and fast.

“This was my swimming cap,” Gran said. “I wore it for my first race. Now it is yours.”

Esi put on the red cap. It was a little big, but it was warm. She walked to the water.

“It is cold!” Esi said.

“The first swim is always cold,” said Gran. “Go on.”

Esi jumped in. She swam to the other side and back. The red cap stayed on her head.

Gran watched from her chair. She did not swim, but she remembered. The water was the same. The cap was the same. Only the swimmer was new.