On this scorching summer’s day,
Hugo’s looking cool.
Jauntily, he makes his way
towards the swimming pool.
With his fruity board shorts on
(tropical and flash),
This boy is keen
to hit the scene
with one almighty splash!
For by the pool, behind a fence,
looms the diving tower.
It’s where the world’s Olympians
flaunt their diving power.
‘Athletes only!’ says the sign,
but Hugo scoffs: ‘What trash!
Such silly rules
are just for fools!
Why can’t I have a bash?’
I’ll scale that ladder super quick,
thinks Hugo, creeping near.
I’ll somersault and triple flip,
and everyone will cheer!
And once the lifeguard’s back is turned,
Hugo dashes past.
He plans to soar,
To gasps of awe.
So up he goes – and fast!
‘That board is for professional sport!
Come back!’ the lifeguard cries.
But Hugo and his fruity shorts,
are headed for the skies.
‘I’ll show that lifeguard how it’s done,’
grins Hugo, near the top.
‘I’m up! Yippee!
And I can see …
He trembles at the view.
The pool is glimmering below,
a teeny square of blue.
And worse! Far down the boy can see
a crowd of fans arriving.
Yes, on the ground,
they gather round
to watch his dazzling diving!
Oh help! thinks Hugo. I can’t keep
all my admirers waiting!
His tummy churns. He’ll have to leap.
(The thought is nauseating.)
And inch by inch, with quaking knees,
he shuffles to the ledge.
The poor boy sighs.
He shuts his eyes,
The seconds slow as Hugo falls,
a time for much regret.
The scary jump has made his shorts
already somewhat wet.
With arms crossed tight, stiff as a board
(his diving style ain’t flash),
he hits the pool,
not quite so cool,
with one ALMIGHTY splash!
Now Hugo’s famous – yes, it’s true!
Ever since that day,
when Hugo and his shorts put on
a breathtaking display!
And Hugo now avoids the pool.
Hot weather makes him glum.
He’d rather forget
the day he got wet,
and his shorts went up his …