She cautiously waddled across the sand towards the lapping waves. Her father was a step and a half ahead of her, holding out his hand for hers, encouraging her towards the shoreline. She curiously observed the dry sand turning wet beneath her little feet as she stepped closer and closer towards her father. They stopped just shy of the foaming water that was lazily lapping at the shore. She took his hand, beaming up at him before squatting down and awkwardly picking up some wet sand and watching it fall in between her fingers. Her father smiled as he squatted next to her, encouraging her curiosity and wonder. 

A large wave swelled and rushed towards them and the father hurriedly collected his daughter into his arms as the water rushed past, swallowing up their footprints in the sand. She was startled. He could see that she might cry, so he bounced her gently in his arms as he laughed and pointed at the receding wave. She settled at his reassuring voice and with his reaction. Her concern turned back to curiosity as she studied the waves from the safe vantage point of his arms.

The waves resumed their gentle rhythm. She felt him prepare to place her down and she began to protest. He looked at her, gently smiling and reassuring her as he placed her back onto the sand, squatting back down next to her, showing her there was nothing to fear. She suspiciously eyed him and the waves, but no longer protested. He took her by the hand as he took another step towards the waves. She hesitated but followed. He took another step and she began to understand, they were headed into the water. Her lip quivered and her eyes welled with tears as she tugged at her fathers hand, looking at the waves foam ahead of her. He smiled as he tried to reassure her, but she was having none of it this time.

He felt her resistance and her fear. He could feel her hand trying to let go of his. He let her stay where she was and let go of her hand. He straightened up as he looked at his daughter with a half sad, half bemused smile on his face.  He went ahead of her, walking towards the waves alone, turning his head to look back at her. She squealed angrily on the verge of a tantrum, wanting him to come back, but he pointed towards the water as the waves started to lap at his feet. He smiled as he splashed some water with his feet. He encouraged her to follow, showing her there was nothing to fear. 

She watched tentatively as her father walked into the water, ankle deep. The waves rushing toward him then breaking at his feet. She watched him smile and splash and beckon her. She hesitated. She wanted to go. Would she go? In a split moment she decided, as she hurriedly toddled towards her father. 

He smiled as he watched her awkwardly run to him. She screeched as the cold water touched her feet, then looking up at her father, seeing him smile, she began to excitedly giggle. She marvelled at the water and the surge of the waves and the way it would foam. Fear left her as she once again took her father’s hand and followed him deeper into the water.