Deep Water
William O. Douglas’s autobiographical piece Deep Water narrates how he developed a deep-seated fear of water due to childhood incidents, and how he finally overcame it through determination, courage, and systematic training. The story highlights that fear itself is more dangerous than the object feared and conveys the message that perseverance and willpower can help conquer even the strongest phobias.
The author recalls that his aversion to water began at the age of three or four when he was knocked down by waves at a beach in California. The powerful waves swept over him and filled him with fear. Though the incident faded, the terror of water stayed in his mind.
Some years later, when he was about ten or eleven, he decided to learn swimming at the YMCA pool in Yakima. The pool was considered safe and shallow at the shallow end. One day, while he was waiting for others, a big boy suddenly picked him up and threw him into the deep end of the pool as a prank. Douglas sank to the bottom and, though terrified, planned to spring up like a cork. But when he tried, his attempts failed. His lungs were about to burst, he could not call for help, and terror seized him. He struggled desperately, but all his efforts were in vain. Ultimately, he lost consciousness.
When he regained his senses, he found himself lying on the side of the pool. The near-drowning incident left a permanent scar on his mind. Whenever he came near water, memories of suffocation and panic returned. He could not swim, fish, or enjoy water sports. This fear destroyed many joys of his life.
However, Douglas was determined not to let fear dominate him. He hired a swimming instructor who began to train him with the help of a rope-and-pulley system. With continuous practice, he gradually mastered breathing techniques, leg-kicking, and different strokes. The instructor combined these skills and built a complete swimmer out of him.
Even after learning, Douglas still felt occasional traces of fear. To test himself, he swam alone in Lake Wentworth for two miles. When fear tried to return, he challenged it bravely. Finally, he swam across Warm Lake, proving to himself that he had conquered his terror completely.
Reflecting on his victory, Douglas understood that fear is an inner demon which must be faced with courage. He realised the truth of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous words: “All we have to fear is fear itself.” By overcoming fear, he regained his freedom and the ability to enjoy life fully.
The story symbolises a universal struggle — that fear can cripple human potential but determination can defeat it. Douglas’s journey from panic to courage inspires readers to confront their own fears and not allow them to limit life’s experiences.
Thus, Deep Water is not merely a tale of learning to swim but a lesson on resilience, perseverance, and the triumph of the human will over fear.
Word Count: ~503