Overcoming adversity

 

Overcoming adversity

                            Illustration by Bethan, aged 7 or 8

When Peter Penguin hatched, to his doting parents’ delight, he looked like all the other penguin chicks, though his parents privately considered that he was the bonniest baby ever. From the top of his head to the tips of his toes, he was perfect. He was the *fluffiest sea apple of his proud parents’ eyes.

When Peter and the rest of his crèche had gained their waterproof plumage, it was time to approach the sea and learn to swim. It was every parent’s proudest moment, and there was much chattering and comment as the youngsters made their excited way to the beckoning water.

At first, they all dabbled in the shallows, familiarising themselves with the lapping waves. Gradually, the bolder chicks ventured further into deeper water until they abruptly discovered that they were swimming. Great was the joy of infants and adults alike. Peter, one of the youngest to hatch, was perfectly content to continue paddling and was almost the last chick to immerse himself.

 When he eventually plunged in, it was immediately apparent that there was something seriously amiss. While all his friends and relatives bobbed about on the surface or gleefully dived deep, Peter sank like a stone. He was a penguin with a problem, a serious disability. His parents rushed to his aid and raised him, spluttering, to the surface. His aunts and uncles, looking on, shook their heads, and muttered, ‘Negative buoyancy.’

Peter’s parents were distraught. Their darling chick needed urgent help, so they rushed off with him to consult Principal Penguin, a wise and greatly respected old bird, and the leader of the colony. He nodded as they divulged their sorry tale.

‘What can we do?’ they begged. ‘A penguin who cannot swim is doomed to live life on land and never know the thrill of catching fish. He will starve!'

Principal Penguin held up a flipper to stem the torrent of anguish from Peter’s parents, and drew out a box from beneath his throne. Unlocking it, he brought forth five flat, brightly striped articles. ‘These are water wings,’ he intoned solemnly.

Peter’s parents looked anxiously at each other. ‘Peter has wings,’ they said. ’We all have wings, and we use them in water, so are they not water wings? Peter’s water wings do not work properly. He can never be a proper penguin.’ Peter’s mother gulped and looked away so that Principal Penguin might not see her distress.

Principal Penguin regarded them gravely. ‘These wings are inflatable,’ he said. ‘They will help Peter, please believe me.’ He proceeded to blow air into them and showed Peter how to wear them, one on each wing, one on each foot and one on his tail.

His parents watched, open-beaked, as their son flapped his colourful limbs and twitched his ornamented tail. They wondered uneasily if the rest of the colony would ostracise him for looking so different.

‘Watch and wait,’ advised Principal Penguin.

Peter felt most self-conscious as he waddled to the water’s edge, but to his immense joy, he soon realised that he was able to swim like the other chicks. He found diving a little more difficult, but persevered and after a great deal of practice, he succeeded. In a short while, he was able to dispense with the water wings and everyone soon forgot that he had ever had a problem.

When he returned the water wings to Principal Penguin, he looked shyly at the great bird and whispered. ‘Thank you, sir.’

Principal Penguin smiled kindly at the young chick and patted him on the shoulder. He leant forward, and in a gentle voice said, ‘You know, I had the same disorder as you when I was just a little chick.’

Peter Penguin gasped. 

Principal Penguin continued, ‘One day, you may become Principal Penguin like me. Principals are always chosen from those who have had to overcome adversity. Be happy, young man, and be kind.’

Peter Penguin pattered home with a smile on his bill and a song in his heart. Life was sweet and he was bursting with happiness. Sure enough, many years later, he became Principal Penguin and ruled his colony with compassion and wisdom, as a revered and beloved leader.

                                Sea apple (Pseudocolochirus violaceus)

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

*Footnote: Sea apples are colourful sea cucumbers. They are not fluffy.