The Dancer

28 The Dancer Though she was about to go on stage, she wasn't nervous. She knew that she was the best. She knew that she would win the competition and amaze the judges with her skills. She bowed and began. She was perfect. Her lines, jumps, and twirls all amazed the judges. But then it happened. She was about to complete her big jump. She came down on her foot and it turned to one side. She felt a terrible pain and collapsed on the ground. She had broken a bone in her foot. It was a terrible thing for Melanie. She had to have surgery on her foot, and the doctors thought she would never dance again. At the hospital, she met a man named Neil who could not walk at all. They became friends. One day, Melanie said to him, “ If I can't be the best, I don't want to be a dancer. " This made Neil angry. “ Do you know what I would do to be able to dance?" he asked. She realized that it had been a foolish and hurtful thing to say to a man who would never walk. He wheeled away in his wheelchair.

Months passed and Melanie went to another audition. She was terrified. Then she saw him. Neil was in the audience! She was not fearful anymore. She jumped. She leaped. She amazed the audience. She danced for Neil. At the end, one of the judges said, “ This past year was difficult for you, but it has made you a more humble person, and that will make you a better dancer. Welcome to our school! " Melanie smiled and cried as she recalled her journey over the last year. She was so thankful for meeting Neil. She was amazed to think how that broken bone in her foot could make such a huge difference in her life. If not for that accident, she would never have met Neil. And as for Neil, he never missed a chance to see his favourite sight in the world-the sight of Melanie dancing.