Respond in a paragraph, and make sure your answer is written in complete sentences.

“The Swimming Contest” ends with the word losers. What do you think the author means for readers to understand by this? What was "lost"?
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In "The Swimming Contest," the word "losers" at the end of the story suggests that the competition between the characters was ultimately futile and fruitless. It could imply that the characters failed to realize what truly mattered, possibly losing sight of the importance of friendship or the enjoyment of the event itself in their pursuit of victory. The author may be aiming to convey a message about the inherent shortcomings of relentless competition and the potential costs of focusing solely on winning at all costs. The word "lost" in this context may refer to the characters losing perspective or losing the true essence of the experience they were participating in.