Tenses 時式：現在式與過去式

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

去年我很怕游泳，所以從來都不去泳池。

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

同學約我去沙灘的時候，我每次都說不去。

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

我的體育老師吳Sir見到我一個人站在那裡，就友善地笑了一下。

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

他說：「每個人都是由零開始的。」之後他逢星期五放學都教我游泳。

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.

我很多次想放棄，但吳Sir一直都不讓我放棄。

Week by week, my confidence grew.

一個星期又一個星期，我的信心慢慢增加。

I learned to float first, and then to kick.

我先學會漂浮，然後學踢水。

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

三月的時候，我游到一個池的闊度，同學們都拍手鼓勵我。

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

現在我每星期游泳兩次，在水裡面覺得又強壯又開心。

Swimming also helps me sleep well and focus in class.

游泳還幫我睡得好，上課更專心。

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

上個月我還參加了校際游泳比賽，拿到第三名。

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

我弟弟還不會游泳，所以我逢星期六早上都會在淺水池教他。

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，我大聲拍手，就好像當日同學為我拍手一樣。

He grinned and shouted, 'Again! Again!'

他咧嘴笑著大叫：「再來！再來！」

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

現在我望著泳池，已經不再害怕。

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

我記得練習可以改變一切，而且每個高手都曾經是初學者。