a good idea. They were both strong swimmers, but no one else was around if they got into trouble out in the canoe. "Come on. It'll be fun. We'll just go a little ways and then paddle back," encouraged Todd. Finally, Chuck relented and thought, What the heck. I'll sit in the back so I can steer. He walked over and helped Todd push her into the water, which was softly lapping the shore. As they paddled their way out from shore, they started drifting out into the center of the river and could feel the current grab their canoe. In a matter of seconds they were paddling hard. From the shore they had not detected the strength of the current "We need to get to shore!" shouted Todd from the front. "Ok, I'll just guide her over there by that sandy bar," panted Chuck. As the canoe glided on the swift water, they approached the shore in seconds. They climbed out of the canoe dripping water from their wet clothes. The park ranger was waiting for them. "You boys should never canoe alone. That could have been dangerous." The park ranger loaded the two dripping boys and the old canoe into his pick-up and returned them to their campsite. That night while gazing at the stars, Chuck thought about the ranger's warning. He knew he had made a bad decision. Now he was making two good decisions. He was going to
