Knjigice
Learn-about book · New stories
Otto the Otter, Olympic Swimmer
The story of a little otter who believed in himself
Also in: Vid Vidra, olimpijski plavalec (Slovenian) · Vid Vydra, olympijský plavec (Slovak)
Otto was a little otter with a big dream. He wanted to swim like no otter ever had. His family said he would build dams, just like everyone before him. But Otto had ideas of his own.
1
At the big races on the lake, Otto took a deep breath and swam. He came third — just enough to send him all the way to the Olympic Games!
2
There he met Vic, an old otter who once won Olympic gold. "You have real talent," said Vic. "Meet me at the training pool every morning at five."
3
Next morning Otto arrived at five o'clock sharp. No Vic anywhere! Only a little golden fish darting through the water — one nobody had ever caught.
4
Otto dived in and chased the fish. Vic came strolling by at ten. "Where were you?" "Your training had started. You will catch that fish and nothing else."
5
For ten whole months Otto chased the fish, from five in the morning until ten at night. He was so tired. And his parents still didn't understand why.
6
Two months before the Games, Otto said, "Why this fish? I never caught it, and I'm not ready." Vic smiled. "Let's swim to China together. I promise, you'll be ready."
7
They swam for long days and nights. And halfway there, something wonderful happened — Otto caught the golden fish! No otter had ever done that before.
8
"To win, you must do five backflips," said Vic. "But nobody has ever done that!" "I know you can."
9
Otto swam, pushed off hard and spun. Once, twice, three times, four times, five! He did it!
10
At the Games in Beijing, he swam like water itself. He twirled, he spun, he smiled. And he won his event!
11
Home he came with a gold medal. His family hugged him tight, bursting with pride. Otto the Otter — Olympic synchronised swimmer!
12The End
