Quoof, The Duckbilled Dog
Chapter 2, Part 2
Quoof Learns To Swim Continued...
{Copyright © J.M. Puttock}
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"Good evening, Mrs. Swan." a deep voice called from the waters edge. "Hello! You must be Quoof. I'm Platypus."
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Platypus. Do you think you can help me to swim?"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't. Come now into the water."
Quoof slid into the water making only a little splash.
"That was much better, Quoof!" exclaimed Mrs. Swan. "Now I must leave you. Take good heed of what Mr. Platypus tells you."
"Thank you for all your help Mrs. Swan. I'll always remember you."
"Goodbye Quoof" replied Mrs. Swan as she flew on golden wings into the sunset.
"Now Quoof," said Mr. Platypus, "keep your tail and hind legs still and pull yourself through the water with your forelegs; like this." Mr. Platypus swam away from the bank barely rippling the water.
"Now you try."
Quoof tried very hard but his forepaws went Splash! Splash! Splash!
"Try again Quoof, move your paws gently."
Quoof tried again and again; now he found he was moving forward and not splashing quite as much.
"That is much better but ....................... LOOK OUT!!"
Quoof, with his eyes tightly shut had swum straight into the river bank.
"Quoof, why do you have your eyes shut?"
"But Mr. Platypus, you swim with your eyes shut."
"Yes I have senses in my bill which tell me where things are, you do not, so you must keep your eyes open."
Quoof rinsed the mud off his beak and nose.
"Now watch how I use my tail and hind feet to guide my way. Yes, that is correct; with practice you will be a very good swimmer." Mr., Platypus paused a moment and glanced at the sky. "It is nearly nightfall and time for supper ....."
"Mr. Platypus, what do you eat?" interrupted Quoof.
"I eat crayfish or Yabbies as they are known, Shrimps, Tadpoles, Worms and Water Beetles that I can catch in the water."
"How do you catch them?" asked Quoof.
"Just like this!" said Mr. Platypus, snapping his beak shut on a passing beetle.
"Goodnight Quoof." Mr. Platypus dived under the water and out of Quoof's sight.
Quoof swam around and around and up and down the river, using his tail and hind legs as a rudder to steer himself as Mr. Platypus had taught him.
"This is great fun!" he thought and wondered why he hadn't liked the water before.
Suddenly the evening twilight was gone and it was dark. "Time for home" thought Quoof as he climbed up the bank and shook himself dry.
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