Corn Festival and Ballet

A corn festival was in full swing, drawing folks from all over to meet in the center of town. They were gathered to eat golden kernels on the cob, drink melted snow cones, and watch people of all ages perform talents on stage. Phoebe pulled Lola toward the stage, eager to watch the show.

A group of brown and purple belts kicked and yelled in their karate robes. Another group, this one containing a mass of tumblers, flipped in midair. There was even a band that played sting instruments and a lady who sang a wonderful ballad. When the performers were finished, Phoebe did a front roll on the warm pavement and attempted a cartwheel in an effortt to be more like the big kids she had observed. There was one group, however, that got Phoebe’s attention the most; the dancing ballerinas.

She loved them so much, in fact, that she signed up for summer classes. “Tutu Fun” was the name of the class and boy was it fun! Not only did Phoebe get to don a new leotard with a tulle skirt, she even insisted on wearing leg warmers over her slippers – even though the heat index was rising high.

First, they warmed up with butterfly stretches and neck rolls. Next, the students traveled one-by-one across the floor; they marched and kicked and even hopped like a frog. Phoebe was the greatest listener and followed all instructions the best that she could. Before class was over, she imagined herself as a Prima Ballerina, leaping and spinning on stage in front of adoring crowds.

When it was time for “free dance,” Lola watched as her sister twirled and wriggled around the room with a scarf in her hand. As the music played, Phoebe moved her body. She swirled and twirled in a pirouette, she bent at the knees to plié, she lifted on to her toes to relevé. She felt graceful and strong.

When she was done, Phoebe took a bow and was rewarded with a sticker.

“Look, Lola,” she boasted, “I was the best in the class!”

And Lola agreed.