![TAKING THE PLUNGE IN MY THIRTIES](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/232/535853/5f86855d5cae4/TAKING-THE-PLUNGE-IN-MY-THIRTIES.jpg)
A FEW MONTHS AGO, my nine-year-old son, Chirag,* won his first silver at a swim meet. Watching him that day, as he calmly dived into the pool and took off with graceful strokes, it seemed like he could swim before he could walk. His dad is a competitive swimmer and a former champion, so surely it must be in his genes? Wrong! Until a few years ago, he was terrified of water. It wasn’t his fault. His dislike came from my own childhood phobia.
One summer, as children, my brother and I went to a pool with my father, to learn the basics of swimming—how to stay afloat, a little kicking and some forward crawls. All that went well and soon it was time for proper lessons. A coach was hired and he agreed to do a trial round. He took us to the deep end to ‘see what we knew’ and asked us to swim across the breadth of the pool and just left us there.
Denne historien er fra October 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
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Denne historien er fra October 2020-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/UEQ-OLTrP1723436127352/READERS-DIGESTBOOKS.jpg)
READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS
These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.
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Man with printed sarong
A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.
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Too Much?
New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body
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ME & MY SHELF
Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.
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Small Business, Big Heart
Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops
![Spill the Beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/ON2H93NTp1723195350746/SPILL-THE-BEANS.jpg)
Spill the Beans
Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours
![It Happens ONLY IN INDIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/3KWbimJWh1723195194499/IT-HAPPENS-ONLY-IN-INDIA.jpg)
It Happens ONLY IN INDIA
Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.
![FULL STEAM AHEAD!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/r068gw5UZ1723194971720/FULL-STEAM-AHEAD.jpg)
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN
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Stressed and Worn Down
More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it
![THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/232/1792820/f0DxhphbV1723194666430/THIS-BACON-FAKERY-MUST-STOP.jpg)
THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP
I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.