Deep Water Class 12 animation

Summary

The narrator recounts a childhood trauma of nearly drowning in a pool, which instilled a lifelong fear of water. Despite this, they eventually sought to overcome their fear by taking swimming lessons as an adult. Through consistent practice and the guidance of an instructor, they gradually conquered their terror, finding peace and freedom in the water, symbolizing the broader triumph over the fear of death itself.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♂️ The protagonist's journey to overcome his fear of water began with learning to swim at a YMCA pool.
• 🌊 A childhood experience of being overwhelmed by waves at a beach instilled a deep fear of water.
• 😨 The fear was rekindled at the YMCA pool, where he faced a traumatic event of being thrown into the deep end.
• 🆘 Despite his initial attempts to stay afloat, he nearly drowned, which intensified his fear of water.
• 👦 The incident involved a bully who threw him into the deep end, highlighting the role of peer aggression in his trauma.
• 🏋️‍♂️ His physical weakness and inability to swim contributed to his helplessness during the near-drowning experience.
• 🤔 The protagonist's repeated attempts to reach the surface and breathe showcased his determination to survive.
• 😱 The experience of being underwater and struggling to breathe induced a state of sheer terror.
• 🏥 He was rescued and survived the incident, but the trauma affected him for years.
• 🌟 Years later, with the help of a swimming instructor, he systematically overcame his fear through consistent practice.
• 🏞️ Conquering his fear allowed him to enjoy water activities and appreciate the tranquility of nature.
• 🧠 The narrative illustrates the psychological impact of fear and the power of the mind to overcome it.

Q & A

How old was the narrator when they decided to learn to swim?

The narrator was 10 or 11 years old when they decided to learn to swim.

What was the narrator's initial feeling towards the water?

The narrator had a dislike to the water, which started when they were three or four years old due to a traumatic experience at the beach.

What happened to the narrator when they were thrown into the deep end of the pool by the big boy?

The narrator was thrown into the deep end of the pool by a big boy and struggled to reach the surface, experiencing intense fear and the sensation of suffocating.

What was the narrator's strategy to escape from the deep end of the pool?

The narrator planned to jump from the bottom of the pool to reach the surface, then lie flat on the water and paddle to the edge.

How did the narrator's experience at the pool affect their fear of water?

The experience intensified the narrator's fear of water, causing them to avoid it whenever possible and affecting their enjoyment of activities like fishing, canoeing, and swimming.

What did the narrator do to overcome their fear of water?

The narrator decided to get an instructor and learn to swim, practicing five days a week for an hour each day.

How did the swimming instructor help the narrator to overcome their fear?

The instructor used a belt and rope system to support the narrator, gradually teaching them to put their face under water, exhale, and kick their legs until they could swim.

What was the turning point for the narrator in conquering their fear?

The turning point was when the narrator swam across a lake and faced their fear, laughing at the terror and realizing it could no longer control them.

What did the narrator learn from their experience of conquering fear?

The narrator learned that there is peace in death and that terror only exists in the fear of death, leading to a newfound appreciation for life and freedom from fear.

How did the narrator's perspective on fear change after their experience?

The narrator's perspective changed to understand that fear itself is the only thing to fear, as stated by Roosevelt, and that experiencing terror can lead to a stronger will to live.