My name is Anna, and until last summer I could not swim. I was twelve years old, and all my friends could swim very well. When they went to the beach, I always stayed on the sand. I told them I didn't like the water, but that was not true. I was afraid.
In July, my mother found a swimming teacher named Ruth. On the first day, I was the oldest student in the group. The other children were only six or seven. I felt embarrassed, and I wanted to go home.
Ruth was very patient. She never laughed at me. First, she taught me to put my face in the water and breathe out. Then I learned to float on my back. After three weeks, I swam across the pool for the first time. The little kids clapped for me!
In August, I went to the beach with my friends again. This time, I didn't stay on the sand. Now I know that it is never too late to learn something new.