Sam swooped over the sunlit pond and dipped one wing toward the sparkling water. “Maybe today,” Sam whispered.
Sam watched the ripples spread, then touched the water with one wingtip. Plip! A cool drop landed on Sam’s nose, and Sam wiped it away with a giggle.
Sam lowered both wings and kicked gently. The water wiggled, the reeds swished, and the wings floated for one bright second before popping up like umbrellas.
Sam tried again. A bubble rose beneath Sam and lifted Sam with a loud POP! Sam tumbled onto a lily pad, which bounced like a green trampoline.
Sam slid from the lily pad into the pond. Water sparkled over Sam’s wings as Sam paddled in a little circle, then reached the sunny middle.
Sam paused beside a golden leaf and looked back at the shore. “I’m swimming!” Sam said, kicking up two tiny fountains.
Sam splashed, twirled, and dipped both wings under the water. A frog-shaped ripple bumped the lily pad, sending it sailing toward the reeds.
Sam floated beside the lily pad and paddled back to shore. Wet wings dripped onto the moss as Sam smiled, then swooped toward the pond for another swim.
