The Secret Swimming Hole

Two Elephants agreed to make a long overdue trip to their favorite swimming hole. Their favorite swimming hole was a secret and they never spoke about it to anyone but each other.

"I can't believe we've kept this a secret for so long," said the first Elephant, Theodore.

"I know!" Stephanie, the second elephant replied, "It's an accomplishment really, neither one of us blabbed."

The two Elephants met and became friends at the secret swimming hole many years ago by happenstance. Both Theo and Stephanie had stumbled upon the hole independently but ran into each other on one scorchingly hot day. The swimming hole was enough for two elephants at the same time so the two made a pact that they would go together so as not to arouse suspicion from anyone else.

When Theo and Stephanie approached the watering hole and saw a third Elephant already there and swimming around the two friends were startled. They each knew what this meant. Their favorite swimming hole would soon be overrun.

“I guess we better start looking for a new swimming hole,” Theodore shared glumly.

“I know, the swimming hole might be enough for two but it’s certainly not enough for three,” Stephanie added.

The two Elephants weren’t upset that another Elephant had found the swimming hole they loved so much. On the contrary, they always regarded their little swimming hole as a hidden treasure. One that they almost felt a little guilty about not sharing.

They knew their little spot would not be there forever. They both made many good memories there and would keep them for the rest of their lives. The magic of their watering hole was that they believed no one else knew about it.

“We shouldn’t go say Hi should we?” Stephanie asked Theo.

“I was just thinking that myself…” Theo responded. “It would be great to have a swimming hole all to themselves and enjoy the magic of it, but we said hi to each other and we ended up being friends.”

“True, but going from one elephant to two elephants is different than going from one elephant to three,” Stephanie added.

Suddenly a loud voice came from the swimming hole!

“Hey! Don’t be shy! You two should come on in! The water here is great!” Yelled the Elephant, “I was just leaving and going to bring my friends here tomorrow for a big shindig!”

The third Elephant began climbing out of the swimming hole and drying off. He continued —

“Yeah, this is a great spot I just found it. Thinking I’ll go back and tell my friends about it, set up some lights maybe bring some drinks and a grill, invite everyone out have a good BBQ…”

Theo and Stephanie smiled as the third Elephant went on…

“We could maybe even do some food trucks and restaurant pop-ups till we can get some funding for construction out here. Make it a social district where people can come and hang out. This place is awesome right!”

Theo and Stephanie continued smiling as the third elephant waved and walked away. The two looked at each other and decided to take one last dip in their secret swimming hole. It was a wonderful swim. Peaceful, serene, pleasant, warm. The last time the two Elephants knew they had a piece of the world all to themselves.