A young boy's journey to independence and self-discovery

A mother's struggle to let go of her child

The dangers of swimming in unfamiliar waters

The bond between a mother and her son

He is bored of the usual beach

He wants to explore the rocks and the bay

He wants to meet new friends

He wants to impress his mother

That he might get lost

That he might never return

That he might not be safe without her

That he might not have fun

Accepted and happy

Nervous and desperate

Confident and proud

Lonely and isolated

His fear of disappointing his mother

His struggle between childhood safety and the desire for maturity

His physical weakness compared to the local boys

His inability to communicate with the native boys

A desire to prove that he's better than the local boys

A need to overcome his fear of the water

A longing to achieve something difficult

A wish to impress his mother

They symbolize his physical struggle and determination

They indicate his fear and anxiety

They show his lack of preparation

They represent his emotional struggle

A physical challenge to overcome

The pathway between childhood and adulthood

An escape route from his mother

A connection to the local community

The beach represents the division between tourists and locals

The dangerous rocks emphasize the story's conflict

The safe beach symbolizes childhood, while the wild bay represents adulthood

The water represents Jerry's fear of growing up

Jerry successfully swims through the tunnel and feels a sense of accomplishment

Jerry decides not to swim through the tunnel and returns to his mother

Jerry gets trapped in the tunnel and is rescued by the local boys

Jerry's mother finds out about his adventure and scolds him