David Cappella - 'To Himself'

The transcript narrates a story from a father's perspective, published in a sports literature journal. It describes the father's reflections on his son, who is in a hospital bed after a severe hockey injury. The father recalls his son's self-contained nature, his passion for skating, and a vivid memory of his son's first skating experience on clear black ice. The narrative explores themes of memory, identity, and the impact of sports injuries.

What does the phrase 'self-contained fluid strides carrying secrets' suggest about the son's character?

How does the imagery of the ice and skates contribute to the overall theme of the text?