By Christina K Sangma
Ryan had always been afraid of water. It wasn’t just a small fear; it lived inside him like a shadow. When he was younger, he had fallen into a river and nearly drowned. He still remembered the cold water closing in, the silence, and the feeling of not being able to breathe. Someone had saved him, but the fear stayed. Even now, standing near water made his chest tighten.
Still, Ryan wanted to change. Every morning, he went to the lake near his village, watching others swim freely. He would step in just a little, letting the water touch his feet, but never more. One day, feeling frustrated, he walked farther than usual and ended up in a forest. The trees grew thick, and before he knew it, he was lost.
Lost too? a voice said.
Ryan turned to see a boy about his age, calm and smiling. I’m Daza, he said. Don’t worry, I know this place. Ryan introduced himself, and Daza helped him find his way back. But something about Daza stayed with him. The next day, Ryan returned to the forest, and found him again.
Soon, they became close friends. They explored the forest, climbed trees, and talked about everything. One evening, Ryan told Daza about his fear of water. It feels stronger than me, he admitted. Daza shook his head gently. Fear is strong, he said, but not stronger than you. You just need a reason.
Days passed, and the weather began to change. Dark clouds gathered, and the wind grew restless. One afternoon, while walking near a stream, thunder cracked loudly. We should leave, Ryan said. But before they could move, the storm hit.
Rain poured heavily, and the calm stream turned wild. The ground became slippery. Suddenly, Daza lost his footing and fell into the rushing water. Ryan! he shouted, being pulled away by the current.
Ryan froze. The sound of the water brought back everything: the fear, the memory, the helplessness. His body refused to move. But then he saw Daza struggling, reaching out, fighting to stay above the water.
Something changed inside Ryan.
This wasn’t his past. This was his friend.
Without thinking further, Ryan ran and jumped into the stream. The water was cold and powerful, pulling him down, but he fought back. Panic rose in his chest, but he pushed through it. He kicked, reached, and finally grabbed Daza’s hand.
I’ve got you! he shouted.
The current was strong, but Ryan didn’t let go. Slowly, with all his strength, he pulled them toward the edge. It was hard, and for a moment, it felt impossible, but he kept going. Finally, they reached the side and collapsed on the ground.
The storm began to calm.
Ryan lay there, breathing heavily, his heart racing, but this time, not from fear. Daza looked at him and smiled weakly. You said you couldn’t swim.
Ryan smiled back, still catching his breath. I guess I just needed a reason.
As the rain faded, Ryan realised something important: fear doesn’t always go away, but courage can grow bigger than it.
