Free How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel by Jess Keating

jellies. There are over two thousand different jellies in the world right now. And they don’t have hearts! Or brains!”
    Ashley snorted.
    â€œWhat?” Daz said, giving his best innocent look. “I know about animals too , you know.” He fake-whispered to Sugar, “Some girls don’t know how to handle an intelligent man.”
    â€œTalk about brainless,” I muttered to Ashley. She gave me a devilish grin.
    â€œHow do you live with him?” she whispered.
    â€œYou have no idea.”
    â€œSo you guys want a quick lesson on how to interact with these guys or what?” Grandpa said. “You’ll be the ones showing kids how to do it!”
    â€œYes!” Ashley blurted.
    The five of us stood outside the largest tank, watching Grandpa and Patricia’s example from the inner circle. The rays and sharks whisked by us, sending clear currents of water out in ripples around their tails. That’s when it hit me. Did these things have teeth? I glanced down at my hand. I didn’t want to lose any fingers here.
    â€œThe first rule is: be very quiet,” Grandpa said. “They can hear you from under there, so if you have a bunch of kids in here that are being too loud, it’s your job to keep them quiet so the animals don’t get scared. If they do”—he pointed to a rocky shoal in the middle of the tank—“they will hide there.”
    Ashley’s eyes were wide as she stared down at the fins that zipped by.
    â€œStep two.” He lifted his hand. “Let the sharks come to you. Not the other way around. These animals are very sensitive to touch, and chasing them will only spook them. You want to be gentle and put your hand palm side down under the water.”
    We all did as he said. The water was chilly, but I was more concerned by the creatures whooshing by me to notice. Daz was practically vibrating he was so excited. I’m surprised he hadn’t just leaped in the tank yet and declared himself King Triton.
    â€œAnd three,” Patricia said. “When one does swim under you, glide your hand along its back.” She waited a moment for a ray to approach her, then stroked it lightly with her fingers as it went by.
    It didn’t even seem to mind!
    I wanted to try. I concentrated hard, willing one of the rays to come close. After a few close calls, one finally swam right under my hand. I lowered my palm slightly, letting my fingertips drag gently on its back. A thrill ran through my body.
    â€œThat’s so cool!” I said. “It feels like sandpapery skin!”
    â€œI got one!” Daz announced. “It came right to me! I am the shark whisperer!”
    Mom raised her eyebrows. “For a whisperer, you’re awfully loud!”
    Even Dad was getting in on the action, waiting patiently while a ray swished under his hand.
    â€œThey aren’t coming to me,” Ashley said. There was more than a note of sadness in her voice. I almost made a joke that sharks don’t like Sneerers, but once I saw the defeated look on her face, I decided against it.
    â€œJust keep your hands still.” I helped her. “And your fingers straight out. They will come,” I said. She held her breath as she listened, keeping her arm motionless under the water.
    â€œHere he comes,” I whispered, gripping her other arm.
    Swoosh. Her fingers lowered slightly.
    â€œI did it!” Ashley yelped. “It does feel like sandpaper! Only softer and spongy.” She watched intently as the water dripped from her hand back into the tank.
    As everyone was leaning over the water, I realized something. This was a definite first in my life. Yeah, it was the first time I’d ever touched sharks or rays. And the first time I got to touch a hermit crab. But as I watched closer, it was also the first time Ashley ever looked happy .
    I mean, sure. She’s happy in school, I guess.
    Especially when I’d seen her talking