FUN HOUSE
Sometimes, being different just won't do

By Jeanne Beatty, Pupukea

At 6 years old, Nina Alena became one of Waialua Recreation Center's youngest swimmers. For two years, she had watched her sister and other kids at countless practice sessions before getting up her nerve to try out for the team. At the start, she barely got both arms above the water as she splashed down her lane. But as Coach Bob said, no one had the determination of his "youngest and most valiant swimmer." She made the team.

One afternoon some months later, her dad was just leaving home to pick her up after school and drive her to swim practice when the phone rang. It was Nina, and she was desperate.

"Dad! I've got the wrong swim suit. You have to find my swim team suit and bring it to me!"

"Well, you can just wear the one you have," Dad said.

"No, I can't! Everyone wears their swim team suit," she cried.

Dad tried to persuade her. "Nina, the coach won't mind because it's just practice. And besides that, I thought you liked being different."

"Yes, Dad," she shrieked, "in life, but not on the swim team!"

Do you have a funny, true story about your child, spouse or other family members? Send it with your name, city and telephone number to: Fun House, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170. Enter as often as you like. Preference is given to stories of 200 words or less. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.