Priceless Paintings from W7

Two ladies shared the pool in the gym with me yesterday, slowly making their lanes up and down while busy chatting. I wouldn’t have paid much attention, had it not been very obvious (even without paying much attention) that one of them could swim in a nice and steady breaststroke, while her friend could not.

She didn’t even manage a dog’s paddle very well. That’s how I noticed her, splashing about and always in danger of drowning. What I also noticed was how self-conscious she seemed, desperately trying not to be seen as one who cannot swim. The whole thing might have started with her swimming friend suggesting that they should meet for a a couple of lanes once a week, and the non-swimmer being too shy and embarrassed to admin that she never learnt to swim in the first place.

I felt sorry for her. I wanted to stop her in her tracks and offer impromptu tuition. If my observations and conclusions were right, then this would have been even more embarrassing for her, so I didn’t. Instead, I tried not to look, and continued with my lanes instead.

Her friend must have noticed, too, and must have also opted for the embarrassment-free ‘ignore’ option. That I found even sadder. What else does one have friends for, I ask?

Maybe my master plan should be to befriend the non-swimming lady, then turn her into a self-confident swimmer and a happier person. Tricky.

Thoughts swimming;