Tenses 时式：现在式与过去式

Last year, I was afraid of swimming, so I never went to the pool.

去年我很怕游泳，所以从来都不去泳池。

When my classmates invited me to the beach, I always said no.

同学约我去沙滩的时候，我每次都说不去。

My PE teacher, Mr Ng, saw me standing alone and smiled kindly.

我的体育老师吴Sir见到我一个人站在那里，就友善地笑了一下。

'Everyone starts somewhere,' he said, and he taught me every Friday after school.

他说：「每个人都是由零开始的。」之后他逢星期五放学都教我游泳。

At first, I swallowed a lot of water and my arms hurt badly.

起初我喝了很多水，手臂又痛得不得了。

I wanted to give up many times, but Mr Ng never let me quit.

我很多次想放弃，但吴Sir一直都不让我放弃。

Week by week, my confidence grew.

一个星期又一个星期，我的信心慢慢增加。

I learned to float first, and then to kick.

我先学会漂浮，然后学踢水。

In March, I swam one width of the pool, and my classmates clapped for me.

三月的时候，我游到一个池的阔度，同学们都拍手鼓励我。

Now I swim twice a week, and I feel strong and happy in the water.

现在我每星期游泳两次，在水里面觉得又强壮又开心。

Swimming also helps me sleep well and focus in class.

游泳还帮我睡得好，上课更专心。

Last month, I even joined the inter-school swimming gala and finished third.

上个月我还参加了校际游泳比赛，拿到第三名。

My little brother cannot swim yet, so I teach him in the shallow pool every Saturday morning.

我弟弟还不会游泳，所以我逢星期六早上都会在浅水池教他。

Yesterday he swam five metres by himself, and I clapped loudly, just as my classmates did for me.

昨天他自己游了五米，我大声拍手，就好像当日同学为我拍手一样。

He grinned and shouted, 'Again! Again!'

他咧嘴笑著大叫：「再来！再来！」

When I look at the pool now, I do not feel afraid any more.

现在我望著泳池，已经不再害怕。

I remember that practice changes everything, and every expert was once a beginner too.

我记得练习可以改变一切，而且每个高手都曾经是初学者。