THE WALKING STICK

True story: A grandfather and his grandson were visiting the community swimming pool. The boy was five years old and did not know how to swim. He and his grandad were playing in the pool when the old man saw with his own eyes what I am trying here to express to you.

The five year old was clinging to the side of the pool in water well over his head. Fascinated with a trail of ants crawling along the edge of the pool he cried, "Fire ants!" . . . in the glorious thrill of an African adventure.

He began to splash water on them as any boy with a warrior spirit will do, when suddenly, he was no longer holding onto the side of the pool. He had plunged instead beneath the surface of the water. It took a few seconds for his grandfather to lift his little body above the surface, fully expecting the child to emerge coughing, sputtering and crying.

To the boy's immense credit he emerged blinking his eyes with wonder and amazement, but no coughing--he had held his breath--no sputtering and no crying. And in an instant, he resumed his attack on the fire ants.

A small thing perhaps, but you understand better when you know this child's history.

Some months before this, a foolish young man tossed this child into a pool with the witless notion that this was the way for him to learn to swim. Of course, he had to be rescued. He never trusted anyone around a pool again.

When boy and his grandfather first began their times in the water together, he would not jump to his grand dad; would not even let the old man walk with him in waist deep water. And so, gently, they began to play. More and more his trust built as they bonded and had fun.

The boy's progress was truly amazing. Until this time with his grandfather, his head had never been under water. Before that day was over, he was giving the older man lessons on the proper way to hold one's breath beneath the surface. And by summer's end this boy had no more fear of water than a sea-lion.

He learned because his grandfather was gentle with him. Life may not be gentle and the water unforgiving, but with his grandson, he was both gentle and forgiving.