The Swimming Pool

By James Kraemer

Soon after Bene began his quest he came upon the mailman. The mailman walked the streets daily delivering messages. When Bene saw the mailman he showed the mailman his directions and asked him what he thought.

"Quite accurate," said the mailman. "Quite accurate, indeed. But why are you going to the swimming pool?" asked the mailman. "Very few go there these days."

Bene replied, "I'm on a quest, sir, to find the swimming pool; a place where I can play and I can swim, laugh and splash I can also do."

"Well then," said the mailman, "be on your merry way. But beware. I've heard no sounds from the swimming pool for quite some time. Quite quiet, quite quiet indeed," said the mailman. "And I've heard that giants dwell there now."

Bene missed the mailman's message and replied, "Oh boy! This is truly wonderful news. Giants make big waves and are fun to ride, too. If we obey the swimming pool rules, this should be the best quest I ever go on."

As Bene walked toward the swimming pool he continued to imagine what it would be like when he finally arrived. "I will sit on a giant's shoulder, when the giant makes a big wave I will jump off the giant onto the wave and ride the wave to the edge of the swimming pool. Oh what fun this will be!" Bene declared. And a journey that seemed would only take a day took years.