Swiftcurrent Creek Now how can he smile

Hirundo whimpered as the cold water soaked into his coat. As much as he kicked and thrashed, it seemed to do little against the harsh tug of the current. He was not the brightest finch in the flock, so to speak, but Hirundo knew enough about water to know that this was very, very bad. He had heard stories of silent, deadly whirlpools swallowing up wolves like they were ants--

The fish was ripped from his jaws, and Hirundo nearly howled in despair. Fortunately, it was not lost! The scary lady had it, apparently. Help had arrived!

...Or not.

He struggled to gain purchase on the slippery shore with his clumsy paws. All he could do was struggle while she feasted on his fish. Probably. It was hard to see much of the shoreline with the water closing in on his ears.

I can swim just fine! he retorted, even as his eyes went wide with panic. Your river is evil!

In a desperate lunge for life, he managed to get half his body onto the river bank. He dug into the ground with his forepaws while his hindlimbs paddled furiously behind him.