Pipi's Dive

    By Jemi Ndarake

    Pipi's Dive cover image

    27 Apr, 2024

    a penguin standing on a snowy surface with penguins nearby in the snow and mountains in the background, with a blue sky and white snow, digital art, an illustration of, Cliff Childs, official art

    In the chilly southern pole, Pipi, a small penguin, watched his friends dive into the sea with awe. He longed to join them, but his inability to swim held him back.

    a group of penguins standing on ice floes near a body of water with penguins swimming in the water, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Asaf Hanuka, laurie greasley

    Summoning courage, Pipi approached Uncle Kai, asking about learning to swim. Uncle Kai smiled, advising Pipi to first conquer his fear of water and play in the beach water.

    a group of penguins standing on a beach next to a group of icebergs in the water and mountains, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, detailed illustration

    Pipi followed Uncle Kai's advice, starting to play in the water. The cold sensation was startling at first, but he gradually grew accustomed to it.

    a penguin is standing in the water near some icebergs and mountains, with a sun in the background, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, laurie greasley

    Over time, Pipi's fear began to diminish as he swam in the shallow water. He felt a sense of achievement, but the deep water still intimidated him.

    a penguin swimming in the ocean surrounded by fish and corals with a sunbeam above it and a starfish above, pop surrealism, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, highly detailed digital painting

    One day, Pipi spotted a small fish swimming in the deeper water. His heart pounded with excitement and fear. He wanted to follow it, but his fear held him back.

    a penguin swimming in the ocean surrounded by fish and corals with a sun shining above it and a starburst above, pop surrealism, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, lostfish

    Pipi remembered Uncle Kai's words, 'Courage is key'. He took a deep breath and made the decision to face his fear. He paddled towards the deeper water.

    a penguin swimming in the ocean surrounded by fish and corals with sunlight shining through the water's surface, pop surrealism, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, highly detailed digital painting

    Pipi plunged into the deeper water, his heart pounding. He struggled at first, but his determination kept him going. He followed the fish, deeper and deeper.

    a penguin is swimming in the ocean surrounded by corals and fish, with a bright sun above it, computer art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, league of legends splash art

    As Pipi went deeper, he discovered a vibrant underwater world, filled with various creatures. He was amazed, but also realized the danger he was in.

    a group of penguins walking on the beach together, with a mountain in the background and a body of water in the foreground, figurativism, an illustration of, Colin Middleton, official art

    Pipi made it back to the shore, gasping for breath. He was scared, but he had also experienced something incredible. He shared his adventure with Uncle Kai.

    a man in a diving suit is petting a penguin on the beach with a rock formation in the background, naturalism, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, yukito kishiro

    Uncle Kai was proud of Pipi's bravery. He told Pipi that failure is part of the journey. 'Remember, you didn't fail. You just found a way that didn't work.'

    a penguin is walking on the beach near the waves and the sun is setting in the background, and the water is blue, computer art, a comic book panel, Cliff Childs, extreme illustration

    Pipi, now less scared of the water, continued practicing his swimming and diving. He was determined to become a skilled diver, no matter how many tries it took.

    a penguin standing on a beach with a sunset in the background and waves crashing in the foreground,, computer art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, sunset

    Embracing failure, Pipi learned that it was okay to be scared. It was okay to fail. Because each failure brought him one step closer to his dream.