Like all ballet studios, it was often filled to the brim with flocks of fluttering, flouncing, fanciful little dancers. It seemed like almost every girl in town attended classes at the studio, wrapped in gauzy pink tutus and satin ballet slippers. After all, many young ladies dream of growing up to be a world-class ballerina.
Poppy was one of these. She often daydreamed about pirouetting across a vast stage, leaping like a gazelle, and balancing delicately on one toe, all to thunderous applause.
Music seemed to flow through Poppy’s veins, and she danced wherever she went – often without even realizing she was doing so. She bobbed and weaved through the halls at school, sometimes adding a flourish of her hand, or a quick twirl. She pranced and plied through the house as she did her chores. And when Poppy went to sleep at night, her toes continued to point and flex, as though she were even dancing in her dreams.
She had been saving every penny of money she had for months, trying to scrape together enough for a semester of dance classes. But, being a young girl, whose only income came from her small weekly allowance, it was slow going.
Then, something amazing happened! On her birthday, her parents presented her with a beautiful shoe box, wrapped in a pink silk ribbon. When Poppy opened the box, she found a pair of the most beautiful ballet slippers she’d ever seen.
“We know how much you love to dance,” her mother explained. “We decided it was about time to get you into some classes.”
Her father nodded in agreement. “Seeing how hard you’ve worked to save up your money, we decided it was time to step in and cover the rest. It’s clearly very important to you.”
Poppy squealed and hugged them both. “Thank you so much! You’re the best parents in the world!”
***
The night before her first class, Poppy could barely sleep. She was far too excited. Her dream of becoming a real-life ballerina was finally coming true! When she eventually drifted off, she dreamed of a triumphant stage debut, dancing in The Nutcracker as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The next day, Poppy jumped into her leotard and tights as soon as she woke up. She forced herself to eat some breakfast, then stood, staring at the clock, willing the minutes to move by more quickly. They only seemed to slow down.
Finally, though, it was time for class! Poppy practically ran into the ballet studio, eager to begin. She put down her bags, then skipped over to a large group of her fellow students, where they sat clumped together, waiting for class to begin.
“Hi!” she grinned. “I’m Poppy! I’m new.”
The ballerinas all stopped talking, and looked at her. One of them giggled, then leaned over a whispered something in her neighbor’s ear. The second girl let out a snort of laughter as she listened, eyeing Poppy. The others watched, curiously, looking back and forth between the pair of girls, with an occasional glance in Poppy’s direction.
Finally, the two girls stood up, the others following suit. The first girl smirked, and said, “I’m Rose. This is Ivy.” The second girl giggled again, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Oh, that’s cool!” Poppy exclaimed. “The three of us are all named after plants!”
“Yeah… but here’s the thing,” Rose smirked. “Our names suit us, because we’re small and pretty. You know, like ballerinas are supposed to be. Your name doesn’t suit you at all, though. You’re way too tall.”
“And look at those knobbly knees,” Ivy chimed in. “Can you even dance on those things?”
Rose laughed, “She probably looks like a moose when she dances!”
“That’s perfect!” Ivy agreed. “Let’s call her ‘Moose!’”
As they laughed, Poppy looked around at the group of girls and realized that she was, in fact, the tallest one there. The other girls came no higher than her chest. She blushed, feeling awkward.
“My parents are both pretty tall,” she explained, “so that’s why I’m tall, too. But I promise, I’ve got what it takes to be a dancer!”
“Okay, Moose,” Rose chuckled. “If you say so.”
Just then, the teacher came in and called for the class to line up at the barre. Still flushing red, Poppy found a spot near the middle.
“Teacher!” one of the girls behind Poppy called, “I can’t see you over the new girl!”
“Oh, hello!” the teacher smiled at Poppy. “How wonderful to have a new student! But would you mind moving to the back, dear? Just so the other students can see?”
Feeling embarrassed, but trying not to cry, Poppy nodded and moved to the end of the line. As they warmed up, stretched, and began some basic choreography, she was careful to stay near the back, so she wouldn’t block anyone’s view. As they danced, however, the embarrassment melted away, and Poppy began relishing the pure joy of moving to music.
“I can do this,” she told herself. “I’ll just stay out of the other girls’ way, and focus on learning the steps. I’ll show them that being tall doesn’t mean I can’t dance!”
***
Over the next several months, Poppy did just that. She ignored the giggles and sly looks from her classmates. She pretended not to hear when they called her “Moose.” She focused on dancing, and becoming the best ballerina she could be.
As the end-of-semester recital neared, the teacher gave them their spots for the performance. “As you all know,” she explained, “we put the strongest dancer front and center so if you get stuck and forget your choreography, you can look to them and be reminded.”
Poppy waited nervously to hear who would get that coveted center spot. She had worked so hard!
“This year,” the teacher continued, “the dancer in that position will be Rose!”
Poppy wilted, feeling defeated. The meanest girl in her class, the one who had led the charge in bullying Poppy, was getting to dance in the center position for the recital. It just wasn’t right.
The teacher pulled Poppy aside as the girls headed out the door after class.
“You have been an exceptional student this semester,” she told Poppy. “I am so impressed with how hard you’ve worked. And you’re a beautiful dancer. I would have loved to give you that center position. Unfortunately, you’re just a little too tall. You would have blocked the girls behind you, and all the parents need to be able to see their dancers. But you still deserve a spot on the front row! I’m going to put you on the far end of the front row, where you can be seen without blocking anyone else. Is that okay?”
“Sure,” Poppy mumbled. She knew the teacher was trying to be kind, but it hurt to know that, once again, her height was a problem.
The teacher lifted Poppy’s chin. “Hey,” she said, “Look at me. I’m really proud of you. I think you have what it takes to make it big someday, if you keep working hard.”
Poppy’s eyes filled with tears, much to her embarrassment. “But I’m too tall to ever be a real ballerina.”
“No way!” her teacher said, firmly. “Dancers can come in all shapes and sizes. All that really matters is that you’ve got the talent, and are willing to put in the work. I can see that you’ve got more than enough talent. So, are you willing to do the work?”
“Yes, I am,” Poppy smiled, feeling a little better.
“Then I expect to see amazing things from you one day.” Her teacher winked, then waved goodbye as Poppy left the studio, her heart already feeling lighter. Her teacher believed in her, even though the other girls said she was too tall.
Poppy smiled to herself, feeling unusually confident. She was more determined than ever to do what it takes to become a great ballerina.
***
The day of the recital came, and Poppy was equal parts nervous and excited. She had never performed on a stage before, or in front of a large audience. She was almost glad that she wouldn’t be front and center. But she was also thrilled that her parents would be able to see her clearly in her position on the end of the front row. She had worked hard for this, and Poppy wanted them to see what she could do.
Rose shoved past her as they moved to take their positions on the stage. “Move it, Moose,” she hissed under her breath as she crossed to center stage. Poppy flushed slightly, but shook it off and focused on dancing. The girls took their opening positions, and the music began.
The dancers all moved together confidently at first, with graceful arms and pointed toes. The audience was entranced, and Poppy could see her parents grinning at her from the third row. She smiled bigger, lifted her chin, and danced with her whole heart.
As she danced however, something began to feel off. The audience looked concerned. Poppy glanced over, and saw Rose, center stage, frozen. She looked stumped. Several of the girls behind her seemed to be in a panic, watching Rose, waiting for her to begin dancing again so they could follow her lead.
They’ve forgotten the choreography, Poppy realized. And Rose doesn’t remember it, either, which means they can’t follow her!
Poppy was temped to laugh for a brief moment, seeing her bully failing so publicly. But she was too kind-hearted for the temptation to last very long. She wanted the audience to see how beautiful their dance was, and for all the parents to be proud of their little ballerinas.
“Rose!” she whispered, as loudly as she dared. “Rose!”
Rose’s panicked eyes found Poppy’s, and she watched as Poppy began the next steps of the dance. Realization dawned on Rose’s face, and she followed Poppy’s lead, moving gracefully to the music. The other confused dancers saw where Rose was looking, and also began to watch Poppy for their cues. Soon, all the dancers were once again twirling and leaping in unison.
The dance ended, and the audience roared in approval. Poppy’s parents jumped to their feet, giving their daughter a standing ovation. She beamed at them, proud of what she’d accomplished.
As the dancers moved into the wings of the stage, the whole class swarmed around Poppy, talking over each other.
“I was so confused…”
“It just slipped my mind!”
“I saw Rose looking at you…”
“You’re so tall, it was easy to follow you!”
“Wait!” Poppy laughed, stopping them, “Are you saying that my being tall actually helped?”
Rose pushed through the group, and stood facing Poppy. “I owe you an apology. They’re right – I was able to see you, and follow you when I got confused, because you’re so much bigger than the rest of us. I guess being tall can be a good thing, even when you’re a ballerina.”
Ivy nodded. “And you’re a wonderful dancer. If you hadn’t known the dance so well, you might have been just as lost as the rest of us. But you were amazing, and I have to admit, you pretty much saved the whole performance.”
“And…” Rose said, hesitantly, “I’m sorry we called you ‘Moose.’”
The rest of the girls nodded in agreement, adding their own apologies.
Poppy blushed, smiling hesitantly at her classmates. “You know, moose are actually pretty cool animals. And I’m realizing that being tall isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe I can be okay with being called ‘Moose.’”
Rose shook her head. “I think I’d rather call you Poppy. It’s a beautiful flower, which makes it the perfect name for a beautiful dancer. It suits you.”
Poppy almost couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Wow, thanks, Rose!”
“You can call her ‘Tiny,’” Ivy suggested, a mischievous smile on her face. Rose shoved her lightly in protest, laughing. “Speak for yourself!”
She turned back to Poppy, still smiling. “Friends?”
“Friends,” Poppy agreed.
It seemed like her time in the dance studio was going to be much nicer from now on. Ballet, and new friends? What a fantastic combination!
She couldn’t wait for next semester to begin.
The End
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