The Swimming Pool

By James Kraemer

There dwelled in the land called work a place called the swimming pool and giants dwelled where children once played. There was no playing and no swimming, no laughing and no splashing for these things made waves. And the joy, adventure, faith and hope, if any, dwelled elsewhere in the land called work.

Now whosoever entered the swimming pool had to obey the don't-make-waves rule because the giants hated waves who made that rule. Thus, when one of their own made a wave, the giants would chase that one out of the swimming pool; and if another would enter it was required that he or she first recite the don't make waves rule to the guard of the gate. When the new one's feet would touch the cold water of the swimming pool a tiny wave would occur and the giants would chatter, "Don't make waves."