SAVING THE DROWN

By Michael Igele

Sally is a regular girl who has not swim in any river above four feet deep. She visit the beach and enjoyed strolling along its shores  once in a while. Sometimes, she swim briefly at the shallow part only to run out when the wave start rolling close. Lagos was full of frightening waters. She was twenty two years old when she travelled with her mother to the village during the sectional holiday. She was fair in complexion, long legs and had a brilliant look. Her hair was lovely, dark and curly. A rubber type of hair that made her beauty more charming. She enjoyed the company of her consanguine and family friends who took her serious;she loved adventures. 

The spirit of being in the wild was so fascinating to her. She could see and touch anything for free. When the children and some older ones said they were going to the river to swim and thereafter fetch water home, Sally too picked up her swimming suit and followed. The oldest among them was two year younger than Sally. The youngest was about six. "How deep is the water?" Sally asked with some smile that proves her confidence. “Not too deep!” the youngest said in her tiny little voice. “Even I can swim!” she added. Sally’s mother went out with few friends that had come to welcome her back home from the city after her  long vacation. Sally was even sure her mother won’t stop her. She followed them happy until they got there. She quickly changed into her swimming suit. 

The little girls were already inside doing all kinds of swimming styles. The eldest of them told Sally that it was dangerous for her to go into the river, especially as she does not know the depth and trick of the village river. After advising her, she got changed and dove into the river. Sally felt bad “but these little children, how can they be swimming and am outside. I am taller, stronger and perhaps more exposed to life” she said to herself. “I have seen all manners of large water in Lagos, why should this small river scare me?” She imagined. "More over, they will make me a laughing stock when we get home. Even with my fine swimming suit which I bought purposely for this day", She encouraged herself more. She could see the youngest among them doing some chest strokes and alternating to the frog style. "Aunty!" She called, “aren’t you swimming with us?” she asked with a pair of smile. There was a lady, a little older than Sally or perhaps at her age bracket. The lady was busy washing some few clothes. She was only on her panties and a little clothe fastened around her chest. That corner of the river was meant for girls alone. The boys have theirs and the aged men and women had theirs also separated. It's a rite of passage, every one knows where they would be at a particular age in time. Sally made no further hesitation as she dove in. “Yes! Aunty, back me!” the youngest girl said to her but she was so shocked to see Sally slapping the water uncontrollably as she could not float. The river was about fourteen feet deep if not more. The eldest among them is not as big and strong as Sally was.

Sally was struggling effortlessly as she took  a mouth- full of water anytime she tried to call for help. The girls ran out to beg the young lady who was still washing by the corner for help but she paid no attention. After so much crying from the other girls, she stood up and went close to the river bank watching Sally drown. Sally was very strong; she did not give up struggling, thanks to her little swimming experience. The lady had a smaller frame, but by her looks, she was not to be called a teenager. She waited while the other girls had almost emptied the eyes of their tears. At that point, Sally was already drowning; she could fight no more.  Her hands started disappearing gradually, finally, she was gone. The lady dove in. For a while, the girls could cry no more, shock and fright had taken over them. "But this river does not kill strangers let alone its own."One of the girls said in disbelieve. The drum of fear had start beating and their hearts danced to its  rhythm.

 One strong push, the lady appeared to the surface with Sally spread all over,. She held sally by her chest with an arm while she took a back stroke as she swam towards the river bank. The other girls went to give her a hand and they revived her almost immediately. The girls got some leafs and squeezed it into her nose after empting the water she had swallowed. One big sneeze and she came back coughing like a patient suffering from whooping cough. So much cry and laughter there after. The lady who saved her laughed too, but left to continue her washing. “Aunty!” one of the girls called, “why did you hesitate, she would not have suffered so much”. She said still wearing her cheerful smile. Sally’s rescuer kept quite for a while then turned to look at them. "Look at her,’ she said as all eyes turned to look at Sally who was still panting in disbelieve and shame. “She is bigger than me” she continued. “Stronger and obviously more frightened. If I had gone for rescue immediately as you guys wanted, we would have both drown. I had to let her drown her strength before attempting to save her. If not, should I have gone there while she still had her strength to struggle, she would have grabbed me and that would have been  a very sad story. Thanks to God, she is back.   

                     

In the cause of journeying through life, we are forced to face some unpleasant situations. It is not advisable to face them while they boil. When your temper is up, it is dangerous to make confrontation. Experience counts here, give that problem some chance to stop struggling, allow your temper to cool off. Let that drowning victim to be a little weak. Then, you will find the perfect time to grab him firmly. Without struggle, you will solve the problem. Don’t do anything in a hurry, stay cool, observe the situation, check your chances, analyze the advantage and disadvantage and you will find the proper time.

Situation are the drown, you are the rescuer, watch them well, know when to get involve. Don’t be in a hurry to be a hero, the right timing is only, the right solution. If your junior offends you, your child, mother, superior, calm down. Don’t be in a hurry to launch your defense or attack. Give it some time, he will come down, you will be calm too. Find the right time and you could choose where to hold him and what swimming style to use;  you and that situation will come out alive.