It was a warm, sunny Saturday morning when Uncle Phong pulled into the driveway of Bibi’s house. The sky was bright blue, the trees were swaying gently in the breeze, and the air smelled like blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass. Uncle Phong stepped out of his car with a big smile, carrying his swimming bag and a special surprise wrapped in a towel. He was here for his favorite part of the week—his visit with Bibi.
Bibi was five years old, full of energy, and always curious about the world around him. He loved dinosaurs, jellybeans, and especially swimming. But there was one little problem—Bibi had never swum on his own. Not yet.
He’d been taking swim lessons for a few months, and although he loved splashing in the water, he still clung tightly to the edge of the pool or to whoever was with him. Uncle Phong had been cheering him on from the sidelines, gently encouraging him to be brave and trust himself.
“Uncle Phong! You’re here!” Bibi shouted as he ran out the front door in his swim trunks and shark-themed goggles. He gave his uncle a big hug and pointed excitedly toward the backyard. “The pool’s ready! Come on!”
Uncle Phong laughed and tousled Bibi’s hair. “I’m ready too, little fish! But are you ready for today’s big adventure?”
Bibi nodded eagerly, though deep down, he still wasn’t sure if he could do it—swim all by himself. But something felt different today. He had been practicing. He had been watching the older kids in class. And he had been thinking about how proud everyone would be if he could finally swim without help.
They made their way to the pool, where the water sparkled under the sunlight. Bibi dipped his toes in and grinned. “It’s warm!”
Uncle Phong sat at the edge, unwrapping his surprise—a bright blue kickboard with Bibi’s name painted on it in big letters.
“For you,” Uncle Phong said, handing it to him. “Your very own kickboard! So you can swim like a dolphin today.”
Bibi’s eyes lit up. “Wow! Thank you, Uncle Phong!”
With excitement bubbling inside him, Bibi jumped into the pool, holding onto the kickboard tightly. Uncle Phong slipped into the water after him and stayed close by, just in case.
“Alright, Bibi,” he said. “Let’s start with what you know. Kick those legs! Use your strong arms!”
Bibi kicked, splashed, and paddled, his little legs working hard. He moved a few feet forward and then turned to see Uncle Phong still standing nearby, smiling.
“Great job!” his uncle cheered. “Now let’s try something a little bigger. Think you can go from here to the other side?”
Bibi looked across the pool. It seemed far. But then he looked at his kickboard. His name was on it. This was his board. Maybe he could really do this.
He took a deep breath and said, “I’ll try.”
Slowly but surely, Bibi started kicking and paddling, just like in his lessons. Uncle Phong swam beside him but didn’t touch him—he just encouraged Bibi with claps and cheers.
“You’re doing it! Keep going!”
Bibi didn’t stop. He kept kicking, his face half in the water, the other half filled with determination. Inch by inch, he made his way across the pool. And then—with a final kick—he reached the other side.
“I did it!” he shouted, lifting the kickboard into the air like a trophy.
