Amazing Achievement's Root!

by RPSaxena

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[ Scene: A Natural Lake surrounded by greenery at the foot of Aravali Hills in Rajasthan, India.]

Hilton, a renowned South Indian swimmer, had converted the frontal North-East corner of the lake into a Modern Swimming Pool in 1985 and used to train children in swimming. Moreover, only children in the age group of five years to fifteen years could get admission in this institute. Gradually it became a hub of talented children from far and wide.

One late morning, Hilton was sitting in a chair near the pool, and relaxing with closed eyes. All of a sudden, a shrieking voice fell on his ears: Hello, Hilton Sir!

Having startled at this sharp but engaging voice, he soon opened his eyes and found a cute boy standing before him. Smiling, he said, "Hey, Curious!"

"No, sir, I'm Brave Singh, Tiger!" said the boy.

"Thanks. I called you so because I've noticed you watching very curiously the activities of all the people here," Hilton said with a smile.

"You are right, sir, but my full focus has been on your actions and attitude." Tiger clarified.

"Oh! Why is so much interest in me, my dear baby?" Smiling, the coach asked.

"Nay, sir, I'm not a baby. I'm a five- years- old BIG boy." Tiger hissed.

Laughing loudly, Hilton embraced Brave Singh and asked him the reason of his coming to the Swimming Institute.

Brave's father began to speak, but Hilton stopped him and induced the boy to reply.

"I want to be the greatest Olympian in swimming, and, of course, you are the best coach in this area." Brave Singh spoke boldly and impressed him very much.

Consequently, Hilton patted his back and said, "OK, Tiger! Come at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow." Both the boy and his father thanked him and departed from there.

The next day Brave Singh and his father reached the institute in the morning.

"Good Morning, sir!" Brave Singh briskly uttered.

"Good Morning, Tiger! How are you?" Hilton reacted.

"Fine, sir." Brave Singh continued, "I'm ready to fulfill the formalities regarding Admission."

"No, not today," snapped the coach.

"But why, sir?" Brave Singh said.

Hearing this response, Hilton asked, "When were you expected to be here?"

"At 8 . 30 a.m." Brave Singh replied meekly.

"Yes, and what was the time when you came here?" Hilton inquired.

"It was 8 . 35 am, only 5 minutes late, Sorry sir," Brave Singh said.

"NO! You were 5 x 60 = 300 seconds late. Here even the parts of a second are counted. Go and come at the same time tomorrow." The coach retorted.

Dejected Brave and his father left the place to come back sharp at 8.30 a.m. the next day.

"Hello, Sir!" Brave greeted Hilton with a lovely smile.

"Hello, Tiger!" Saying and handing Brave a Stop-Watch, Hilton took him to the swimming pool, taught him how to operate Stop-Watch and measure the time. Furthermore, he asked Brave Singh to note the time of the swimmers in each lane turn by turn.

Brave Singh did as he was said. After a short while, he tried to submit his completed Admission Form but was denied and asked to come the next day at the same time. Hence, With no option in hand, Tiger left the place with downcast eyes.

In the next three days also, Tiger had to do the same Stop-Watch related work and felt fed up with this unexpected labor. Ultimately, he said to the coach, "Sir, with due regards, I've come here to be an expert in swimming, and not to learn 'Stop-Watch Operation.'

With a very calm mood, Hilton asked Brave Singh to come at the same time the following day to pursue the next step.

The next morning, Brave Singh reached there at the right time, and as a result, Hilton greeted him warmly.
Soon both went into the pool. Hilton told Brave Singh, "Hold your breath, and keep yourself under the water as long as you can."

Tiger followed the instructions but lifted his face over the water in just 30 seconds. Expressing disappointment, Hilton asked him to dip again. This time he remained under the water for 40 seconds. Next time when Brave took a dip, Hilton held his neck and kept him under the water for 50 seconds.

Despite struggling hard to come above the water, his efforts proved fruitless. After 55 seconds, Hilton loosened his grip over Tiger's neck; at once, the latter jumped madly onto the surface of the water and was utterly perturbed.

"How are you feeling now, Tiger?" The coach asked, but gasping hard, Brave could speak only, "Wait..." However, on getting amply normal, he furiously said, "Sir, I could not understand all this."

Hilton remained mentally balanced and said, "Tiger, tell me what you were thinking just before raising your head above the water."

Still breathing fast and aloud, Brave Singh spoke, "Sir, nothing except taking some deep breaths in the air."

"Yes, now listen to me carefully," Hilton continued, "come to this institute only when you have the same sole desire to learn to swim.
Remember: Only single-minded passion leads to the desired perfection!"
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