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Now, read this story about a boy whose skill opened up a world of opportunity
for him.

Lawrence allowed the waves to lift him up and carry him towards the shore. The sea held
no terrors for him as he calmly swam back the rest of the distance to the land. He ran
home happily as the sea breeze evaporated the water off his body.

A sense of urgency shook him. He did not have a watch or a clock at his home. He knew
there was not much time left for the swimming competitions to begin. The competition

itself did not worry him, as he had been swimming all his life, but he had to reach the
newly-constructed stadium in about half an hour. He had been there before, and he knew
that if he started now, he would be able to reach there just in time.

Lawrence knew that it would be the biggest break in his life. If
he got the chance to represent his district in swimming, there
could be a way out of his present poverty. He had not been to Do you think Just a Minute!

school and felt that he was too old to start now, even though Lawrence was right in
he was only thirteen. He knew that if he won the swimming thinking that it was too late
for him to study anymore?
contest, he would have the chance to attend special sports
schools run by the government, earn a scholarship, and even
hope for a government job later. Everything depended on his winning the swimming

championship. He knew that he would not have many serious challengers. On the sea
front, his swimming prowess was legendary. He had the rare gift of swimming fast as well
as swimming over long distances.

Presently, he was focusing on the 100-metre swim. He would consider taking up very
short distance as well as long distance swimming later on. He reached home, wiped
himself with a towel and started out for the stadium.

He was in a hurry to reach the stadium. If he took the recently developed road, he would

take more time to reach; hence he turned towards the old road along the coast. This would
also ensure that he would get fresh sea breeze all along the way.

He wished he had a watch with him. There was no way of knowing whether he was on
time or not. He cursed himself for staying in the sea for so long. He should have left earlier
for the stadium. But he loved the sea too much; it was not possible for him to come out of
the sea very easily.

His feet stuck into the sand and the smooth round pebbles felt hot on his feet as he started

running the rest of the way to reach the indoor stadium.

Suddenly, he heard a voice. For a moment he thought that it was the water which had got
into his ears which was making the sound. He listened more
carefully and then he heard the sound again. It seemed to be prowess: skill or expertise in
a particular activity or field

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