The Winning Lap

witnhneing

by Tale Weavers

lap!

Weaving tales,
breaking stereotypes

TALETM Tale Weavers is an initiative that aims
to engage with children and the youth
weavers through stories that challenge stereotypes
and break the barriers in creating a just
weaving tales, breaking stereotypes society.
​
We welcome you to our world of stories
where simple conversations, colorful
illustrations, and powerful characters
help break the stereotypes and create an
inclusive learning space which is free
of bias - be it gender, religion, race,
nationality or ethnicity.

This story is part of Tale Weaver’s Anti-
bullying series that aim at creating a
safe and inclusive space.

witnhneing

lap!

Story: Vaishnavi Pallapothu Illustrations: Raghu Ramachandran
Edited by: Kirthi Jayakumar

Twelve year old Jaya loved to swim!

Most of Jaya’s infant memories involved her
playing in the beach.
She collected shells, built sandcastles and
gobbled up ice cream!
But, her favorite memory of all was paddling in
the ocean, wearing her cute red swimsuit and a
yellow float.



Many years later, Jaya learnt how to swim!

Her favorite stroke was the breast-stroke because she
imagined herself to be a giant frog!
One fine day, Jaya enrolled in a swimming competition.
She was to compete against boys and girls of all shapes
and sizes!
While she was warming up, a group of kids approached
her.
“You shouldn’t enter the swimming contest! You’ll
cause a tsunami in the pool!” one boy sneered while the
others guffawed.
“Yeah! Just quit – you’ll anyway come last!” another
girl said.



Jaya felt hurt. But she did not let the comments get

to her head. She was determined to prove the bullies
wrong!
The referee blew the whistle and the swimmers were
off!
Jaya took a deep breath and dived into the pool.
She swam with all her might – her legs and arms
mimicking the actions of a frog, rapidly.

In what seemed like no time, Jaya’s hands touched the

wall at the other end of the pool.
She looked up and saw the crowd cheering and clapping
for her.

She was the first one at the finish line – she had won the
race!

Jaya happily accepted her medal and waved to her

proud parents in the stands.

Jaya also congratulated the other participants.

The group of bullies were awe-struck. “Wow, she’s an
excellent swimmer!” the boy said.
“We were very rude to her and now I feel terrible,” the
girl said.

“Me too. Let us go and apologize,” the boy replied.
They sheepishly made their way over to Jaya.

“Hey Jaya. That was an awesome lap! You were very
fast. Congratulations! I am very sorry about what I said
before the race,” the girl began

“I am sorry too. We both realize that it was very mean
of us, to make fun of your body,” the boy added.

Jaya smiled and forgave them. “Next time, don’t make

snap judgements about people. We all can do anything
we put our minds and hearts to. Our weight, height,
skin colour and intelligence do not need to limit us or
define us at all,” Jaya told them.

The boy and girl nodded in agreement.
They all decided to buy some ice cream to celebrate the
end of a fun yet exhausting day.

The End

www.tale-weavers.org