He felt a sense of dread. He wanted to go into the water, but he was afraid.

"I do not want to go in," Cory said to his mother. His mother looked at him.

You are a puffin," she said. "You are made for the water.

Cory looked at the claws on his feet. He looked at the towering waves.

He felt a deep, unbearable fear. "The water is too loud," he said.

He could hear the waves pound the rocks. It was the loudest sound.

"You have power," his mother said. "You are a smart bird.

You can do it." Cory took a deep breath.

He thought about his friend, Dalton was not afraid of anything.

Cory wanted to be like Dalton. He went toward the water.

The cold water lapped at the claws on his feet. He felt a chill.

He backed away. He was upset at himself.

"I will try again," he said. He took two steps toward the water, but then he halted.

This was pointless. He felt sad.

Just then, he saw a big, brown bear on the shore. It let out a loud growl.

Cory was shocked. The bear was coming toward him!

Without thinking, Cory bounded into the water with a splash. He went underwater.

It was not so bad. It was quiet underwater.

He saw koi and other fish. He came up for air.

The bear was gone. Cory floated on the waves. He was safe.

He felt joy. He was not afraid.

He was proud. He was a puffin, and he was in the water.

He felt glad that he was able to be brave.