Winifred had no patience with children, which was why it was unusual that she was assigned to teach the youngest kids how to swim. Every one of her Minnows classes had a few children who were scared of the deep water, or were slow to pick up techniques.

Winifred's answer was to berate them in a humiliating manner. "I didn't know we had a baby in class," she'd say. "Stop sucking your thumb and pay attention." "Aw, should I call your mommy to take you home for your nap?" "You act like you have a diaper on under your swimsuit." And any fear of water was treated with being tossed into the pool, or being pushed under the water. Immersion therapy, Winifred said.

Winifred was especially rough on Stacy, a timid 5-year-old girl, who quickly became scared of her instructor. She asked her parents to drop out of the swim class, but since they prepaid tuition, they ordered her to sort things out on her own.

Dreading the next class, Stacy walked slow; slow enough to spot a shiny object on the ground. It was a coin, promising to grant wishes. She stuck it in a pocket in her suit.

At the class, Winifred was worse than ever, and was especially berating Stacy. And when Stacy hesitated to go into the float position, Winifred dunked her. Coughing profusely, Stacy climbed from the pool and looked up at Winifred. "If only you were my size, we'd see," she thought. And suddenly, Winifred no longer towered over Stacy. They were the same size and age. In fact, Winifred was no bigger than any of the other Minnows Swimming students, and her face registered befuddlement and terror at this change.

On realizing what happened, Stacy's courage grew. "For a change, let's see how you like being dunked," Stacy told the now 5-year-old swim instructor, who realized that Stacy could now do it. Winifred reacted by panicking, and running away. Stacy and the other kids pursued Winifred, whom Stacy tackled in the facility's waiting room.

"Let's carry her back to the pool and throw her in," Stacy told the other kids. "No, No!" Winifred screamed. "What? We have a baby in our class?" Stacy replied. "Yes! A baby! I'm a baby," Winifred stuttered in panic. "A real thumb-sucker?" Stacy asked. "Yes, yes!" Winifred replied, ramming her thumb into her mouth. "You think we should send Ms. Winifred home to mommy for her nap?" Stacy asked the other kids.

An hour later, Stacy arrived home. "Swim class was cancelled," she told her mother. "That's too bad," her mother replied, but added, "Where's your little sister?" Stacy reached out the door, latched onto a tiny hand, and walked in a 2-year-old girl wearing the same swim attire as Winifred. Now tiny Winifred looked up at the grown lady she had never met before, but now strangely had a great affinity for. "Nap, Nap!" Winifred said as she spread her arms, so that her new mother could put her hands under her arms and lift her upwards. Winifred bubbled with delight as Mom carried her to the bedroom and her crib. But Winifred still felt a bit of unease, as Mom cradled her arm under her bottom, and Winifred could feel that she now had a diaper on under her swimsuit.


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