- [first lines]
- Self - Narrator: [part 1] It may not be in the book, but here's the way to straighten out a child. That pat on the butt... well, it straightens out their hips so they enter the water cleanly. Of course, they love it and keep coming back for more. That slightly spectacular introduction into the swimming pool is part of a highly regarded teaching method brought to the United States by Lissa Bengston of the Royal Academy of Physical Education - Stockholm, Sweden. Lissa teaches dunking in California now, and here she is with a crop of future movie stars.
- Self - Narrator: [part 2] Swimming is ageless - if you can walk, you can swim - and Lissa likes to start them young, 3 or 4 and up. Under the hot sun and in the cool water, they become taught little dolphins with no fear of water or springboard. Here's a lad that almost didn't get in the picture though. Give him a hand Lissa; youth must be served sometimes you know.
- Self - Narrator: [part 3] It's a stern method that Lissa uses: in you go with no uncertainty about it - but that's what kids love, and they can hardly wait for the next phase of their instruction.
- Self - Narrator: [part 4] The heart of the method is 'one thing at a time.' Holding this lad's legs so they won't thrash aimlessly, Lissa develops the rhythm of the overhand stroke and head movement of the standard freestyle crawl. In a short time, he has the breathing business beaten. When that arm movement becomes second nature, they're on their own - just arms, no leg kick... plop 1, plop 2, and they're on their little way. From sinker to swimmer, this is known as achievement; it's something a lot of adults unfortunately never learn and suffer for it all their lives. This little chap won't though, that's a cinch.
- Self - Narrator: [part 5] Now come the feet. To keep the movement separate, Lissa has her pupils clasp their hands above their heads; and there's to be no cheating. You have to learn one thing at a time, or you may never learn it at all.
- Self - Narrator: [part 6] And here they go. Uh oh, here's a little tyke getting ahead of herself. Lissa isn't going to like that. A stern but kindly word is some help, but not really enough to instill full confidence that the legs alone will take care of you in the water. A complete proof is needed, so Lissa ties her hands together. Ok, in you go - but Lissa, who's firm teaching method never let's her forget the child's safety, stays with her along the edge of the pool. When you have to, you can; and this little girl had to and did. And out she comes, a firm little mermaid in mighty good hands.
- Self - Narrator: [part 7] Fun is a prime ingredient in learning, and it is also the prize in learning to swim. The basic stroke is the crawl, but Lissa's students can hold their own in any company and have a few things to show off. Here they are doing the backstroke... now they swing into the old time breaststroke... and then they go hog-wild, diving and somersaulting like playful porpoises completely at home in the water.
- Self - Narrator: [part 8] To keep them happy and swimming on bottom as well as on top, Lissa has devised some games that develop self-confidence and lung power in a painless way. These kids are happy, they're going to gather flowers. Our cameraman goes on down with them to get some pictures of this crew of agile little aqua babes. And here they come, out of the depths... Where did she come from? This is lung power Lou herself.
- Self - Narrator: [part 9] Here's another version of the same. Come on gal, you're one of the experts now. This time the kids will pick their posies and continue on their way the length of the pool. This competition makes them forget any fear they might have of the water and makes holding breath something that comes naturally.
- Self - Narrator: [part 10] Now comes the complete test - they're ready for Lissa's signal. This time they paddle right through that underwater posie bed and keep right on going!... now, a racing turn and back to the primrose path... How's that? Pretty good for a bunch of kids who just learned to navigate. But here they go again.
- [last lines]
- Self - Narrator: [part 11] They're probably more at home under the water than they are on dry land - twisting and turning with light little bodies gently conditioned by a superb sport that uses every muscle in the body. They're like a school of pretty tropical fish at feeding time. A lifetime of safety and swimming, and a lifetime of fun awaits Lissa's little aqua babes.