“I’m so nervous,” exclaimed Din Din as he put his huge green foot gingerly into the lake water and let out a yelp. “It’s freezing.”

“Come on, Din Din. You have enjoyed a swim in the lake many times,” chuckled Delma.

“But today we are not just swimming, we are going underwater diving,” said Din Din shuddering — partly from the icy water and partly due to his nerves.

“Yes, are your brothers also here?” asked Delma.

“Yes, they are on their way. They are very excited about their first diving experience,” admitted Din Din. Just then Derek, Dave and Don marched up noisily to the lakeside coves near the Aquatic School.

“Trust me, underwater life in this part of the lake is beautiful,” said Delma to the four dinosaurs.

“I’m happy to give you all a guided tour. But you all need to take a few tips as to how to hold your breath under water. I won’t take you very deep into the lake, don’t worry.” As the four brothers followed Delma into the middle of the lake, their enormous bodies became slowly submerged in the water.

“The water doesn’t seem so cold once our bodies adjust to the temperature,” contemplated Derek. Once the group was nearly in the middle of the lake, Don, the shortest of the brothers, was neck-deep in the lake water.

“This is how deep the water is. Okay guys, now hold your breath and immerse yourself into the water. Try to kick your legs and pull yourself towards the lake floor,” instructed Delma. Taking a deep breath, the four dinosaurs of varying sizes dunked their heads under water.

“Wow! That was fun!” exclaimed Don with a laugh as he came up for air and shook his body, splattering the others with huge water droplets. The four dinosaurs spent a very happy morning frolicking in the lake water.

“Don, please don’t hold your breath for so long,” scolded Din Din as his youngest brother came out from under the water’s aquamarine surface gasping for breath. “You scared us, Don,” said Delma, frowning. “It can be dangerous for you to stay underwater for so long.”

“Sorry,” Don sputtered as Dave whacked him on the back. “I just lost track of time while gazing at the stunning corals and reefs underwater. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Delma smiled in pleasure. “There is even a network of underground caves and tunnels, but you guys are too big to explore those.” “I was very fascinated by the fish I saw — so colourful and unique,” shared Dave in wonder.

“It’s been several hours and my skin is all shriveled,” complained Din Din, the only one of the brothers who was tired of this underwater exploration. “I think we should go home. I want to go to my garden for some gardening this evening.”

“Oh, Din Din, just one more dive,” begged Don. Din Din nodded reluctantly. “Go ahead.”

“I’ll come with you,” Delma offered. The two creatures disappeared under the water’s surface leaving Din Din, Derek and Dave behind. As Don became engrossed in the rainbow coloured reefs and their intricate designs, he failed to notice a long slimy eel slither close to him.

“Ouch,” Don let out a cry of anguish as he felt a sting go through his body. He realised in horror that he couldn’t move. His eyes widened in shock; he tried to kick his legs and move upwards but instead his body began to sink heavily to the bottom of the lake floor.

Delma was stunned at what had just occurred. She hastily rushed to Don. In panic she realised that Don was incapable of moving. Using her snout and the weight of her entire body she pushed Don from where he was lying on the lake floor towards the water surface.

“Din Din,” Delma gasped. “Don…Don…has been bitten by an electric eel. We must take him to the lake bank.”

“What! What?” Din Din shrieked. “My brother…what’s happened to my brother?” Aghast, the three brothers pushed their youngest brother’s heavy, leaden body towards the lake bank.

Once they had shoved him onto the golden sand on the shore, they began to holler in horror. “Don!” Din Din shouted in alarm. “Please say something.” But Don’s glazed wide eyes did not respond.

Derek quickly checked Don’s breathing. “He’s breathing,” he declared in relief. “We need to get him to a doctor,” Din Din panted.

“The doctor is too far, let me get Olly the octopus,” said Delma. She felt wretched that Don had been hurt in the excursion she had planned. She would never be able to forgive herself if something happened to him. Trembling in fright, she swam toward Olly’s home in the underwater caves.

Rapidly, telling the octopus about what had transpired, Delma took the octopus back to the dinosaurs. By then Don’s eyes were flickering but he was still not speaking.

“Rub his paws,” instructed Olly as he examined Don carefully. “Don? Are you okay?” Olly asked gently. Don nodded slightly, his mouth gaping. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

“There is no known treatment for the shock given by an electric eel,” explained Olly patiently. “Don should be fine in a while. The actual danger would have been much greater if he had remained paralysed underwater, and the water would have gone into his lungs. Thank heavens Delma was there to rescue him.”

“I’m so sorry, Don,” wept Delma. “I never anticipated that something like this would happen. Din Din, Derek, Dave…please forgive me. I should never have suggested such a dangerous adventure with you all. I should have realised that I am an aquatic animal, but you are not used to the dangers of water.”

“Delma, please, don’t blame yourself. In fact, you are the reason Don is safe,” Din Din said, embracing his friend. “We can’t thank you enough.” Before long Dave had recovered enough to walk back home to the Fruit Park. “Please let me know if he’s okay,” Delma hollered after them.

“I will,” replied Din Din, waving goodbye to his best friend.

“It’s okay, Delma,” Olly consoled her. “All’s well that ends well.”

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