In Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller," the comparison of tutoring a four-year-old for admission into an exclusive preschool to hiring a swim coach for a guppy emphasizes the absurdity of such efforts. It highlights the futility of over-preparing children for competitive educational environments at such a young age, suggesting that it may not be necessary or beneficial.

This analogy serves as a critique of societal pressures placed on young children for academic success. It reminds readers to consider the simplicity of childhood and the importance of natural development over early specialization, pointing to the potential negative implications of excessive parental ambition.