The Little Duckling Swims

The little duckling stood by the pond. The water was big and cold. All the other ducks were swimming.

“I can't swim,” said the duckling. “The water is too big.”

“You can,” said the mother duck. “Watch me. I am swimming. It is easy.”

The duckling put one foot in the water. Then he stopped. “No. I can't.”

The mother duck came close. “Hold on to me,” she said. “We swim together.”

So the duckling held on. His little feet started to move. Kick, kick, kick. The mother duck moved away, but the duckling did not stop.

“Look!” said the mother duck. “You're swimming now!”

The duckling looked down. His feet were moving. The water was not so cold now. He was swimming, all by himself.

“I can swim!” he said. “I can swim now!”