Wolfpaw swam at great speed after Willowflight. He made little noise and he moved swiftly. She leapt out of the water and onto the bank just as he reached out to bite her tail. 

           "Too slow," she said sternly. He grumbled and got out, shaking his pelt. 

           "I almost did it," he mumbled but he knew almost was not enough. 

           "That's not good enough," she scolded then relented. "But I think you're a good swimmer and I think it's time for you to swim at the river." Wolfpaw bounced excitedly after her. They trekked to the river in the middle of their territory. Here, the current was not too strong but it did pull a cat away. 

           "Right, fishing in the river is not the same as fishing in the wetland," explained Willowflight. "So when you see a fish, you will put your paw in a scoop like this, claws out, and flick it out of the water. It must be a quick movement. Like we practiced yesterday and today." Wolfpaw nodded and did the movement. 

            "Good, then, when it flies onto land you just kill it. Now, after you do this, we're going to try the swimming technique. This one is easier but less fish are going to come to the banks so you must be patient. Come, lie next to me." Wolfpaw settled himself next to Willowflight. They watched the water intently. Wolfpaw tried not to get bored. He fixed his eyes on the clear water, looking for anything silver. Suddenly, he saw a flash of silver and tried to knock it out of the water. It darted away. Willowflight, next to him, made the movement, quick and swiftly. There was a splash and Wolfpaw was momentarily blinded then he opened his eyes and Willowflight was crouched with a fish in her mouth. 

           "You flicked it out and caught it?" gaped Wolfpaw. 

           "Yes, and you missed," she noted. "Go into the water. We'll try fishing while swimming. WE practiced in the wetlands."

            "Alright," nodded Wolfpaw. He jumped into the cold water but puffed his fur up. He swam, not letting the current pull him too far. But he was drifting away. Willowflight padded on the bank beside him. 

           "Alright, it's up to you now," Willowflight said. "This will be your last time swimming in the river this season as leaf-bare is almost here and it will freeze over and the fish will go." Wolfpaw nodded. He saw a fish and swam towards it. It darted away through his paws but he used Willowflight's technique and squeeze his back legs together, digging his claws out to try and trap the fish. As he predicted it tried to swim through his hind legs and got stuck. He stuck his claws into its flesh and took it out. He dragged it to Willowflight, beaming proudly. 

           "Very good. Impressing even," she smiled. "You did it your first try. Let's do it again." And he did. Wolfpaw tried the swimming and fishing method many times more then the scooping and flicking the fish out of the water many more times. He did it again and again. Practice makes perfect.