Running With Flippers by Emma Machowski
Imagine that you are in a race, and the race takes place over land
and water. No one in this race is running the same route. Some
people never haft to swim; others are in the water almost immediately.
Before the start of the race everyone puts on their running shoes,
and they are given a pair of flippers for when they reach the water.
Now the race begins, you are running steady and well in your running
shoes.
Imagine that you are in a race, and the race takes place over land
and water. No one in this race is running the same route. Some
people never haft to swim; others are in the water almost immediately.
Before the start of the race everyone puts on their running shoes,
and they are given a pair of flippers for when they reach the water.
Now the race begins, you are running steady and well in your running
shoes.
Not long into the race a few people decide to try and run
wearing their flippers. You think nothing of it, but as the race
progresses more and more people begin to take off their running shoes
and put on their flippers. Then theses people begin to tell you that
it is much more thrilling and exciting for you to wear the flippers,
“why wait till you come to water?” they ask. They also remind you
that you might not ever come to water, “what if your race is one of
the ones that is on dry land the entire time? Then you would never get
to wear you flippers". You begin to think about it and as you are
pondering whether or not to put the flippers on you hear a voice
behind you say, “why don’t you let me hold the flippers?” You look up
and see the creator of the race and track is coming toward you. He
offers to take the flippers again. You are hesitant because you feel
as though giving him the flippers would be like giving away the hope
that you will ever come to water. You explain this to the man. He
smiles and says “I know exactly what your race track looks like,
remember I planned this race for you. Nothing you do can alter the
course of this track. If I planned for you to come to water you will.
And if you do I promise I will be waiting for you with your flippers.
If instead you choose to keep these flippers, you will try running in
them. You will be able to run, but not very well and you will fall
down numerous times. Your flippers will become banged up, so then if
you do reach water, your flippers wonk work as well as they could
have. If you trust me and give me the flippers I promise the whole
race will be easier. For it is easier to run on dry ground in running
shoes, and swim in the water using undamaged flippers. Will you
trust me?
wearing their flippers. You think nothing of it, but as the race
progresses more and more people begin to take off their running shoes
and put on their flippers. Then theses people begin to tell you that
it is much more thrilling and exciting for you to wear the flippers,
“why wait till you come to water?” they ask. They also remind you
that you might not ever come to water, “what if your race is one of
the ones that is on dry land the entire time? Then you would never get
to wear you flippers". You begin to think about it and as you are
pondering whether or not to put the flippers on you hear a voice
behind you say, “why don’t you let me hold the flippers?” You look up
and see the creator of the race and track is coming toward you. He
offers to take the flippers again. You are hesitant because you feel
as though giving him the flippers would be like giving away the hope
that you will ever come to water. You explain this to the man. He
smiles and says “I know exactly what your race track looks like,
remember I planned this race for you. Nothing you do can alter the
course of this track. If I planned for you to come to water you will.
And if you do I promise I will be waiting for you with your flippers.
If instead you choose to keep these flippers, you will try running in
them. You will be able to run, but not very well and you will fall
down numerous times. Your flippers will become banged up, so then if
you do reach water, your flippers wonk work as well as they could
have. If you trust me and give me the flippers I promise the whole
race will be easier. For it is easier to run on dry ground in running
shoes, and swim in the water using undamaged flippers. Will you
trust me?
