The swimmer was out just a little bit from the beach – halfway from here to the horizon.

Everyday, the swimmer ventured to this same spot – far enough to be a challenge, but not so far to be in danger.

The swimmer taught themselves how to swim. No one had ever shown them – the swimmer had to observe. Practice. Learn the hard way.

The swimmer started in the shallow water, alone, while all those around them played, running in or out at will. The swimmer had a goal.

Occasionally the swimmer would look longingly at those around them, laughing, grouping, eating, playing. The swimmer knew they had to learn to survive,though…so they went out a little deeper.

No one paid attention to the swimmer – not really. They might wave. Nod a head. Say “how are you”, while their head was already turning away.

The swimmer moved further into the deep. It was inevitable.

Eventually, the beachgoers might glance up from their frolic and watch the fumbling strokes of the swimmer. They would shake their head – make comments on how poor a swimmer they were.

No one came out to show the swimmer how to correctly swim.

On rough days, the beachgoers were no where to be seen. The walkers would see the swimmer in that same spot, and shake their head. “Fool! Don’t they know how dangerous it is?”

No one yelled to the swimmer to come in.

No one warned the swimmer of the potential danger.

No one went to save them.

The swimmer kept trying. Kept going out to that spot. Kept swimming.

One day, the swimmer was not on that spot midway to the horizon.

The beachgoers and walkers didn’t even notice.