THE BIG BALLERINA

Night fell and that familiar commotion began.  No one could see, but they all knew who caused the terrible racket.  BANG, CRASH, THUMP, over and over again.

Emma.  It must be Emma.  She loved to dance.  Day or night, Emma danced her heart away, but she was no ordinary dancer.  Emma was an elephant, a large African elephant with dreams of becoming the finest dancer ever known.

“A BALLERINA?” many scoffed.  “Emma, you are an elephant, much too big to be a dancer.  You would look ridiculous.”

It didn’t stop her.  Emma was determined to become a dancer.  She may the biggest dancer most will have seen, but would be the best.  She started right away and practiced her dance.

THE BIG BALLERINA

Emma twirled around and around, dancing on her tiptoes, the same way she imagined other ballerinas did.  It was not easy. After all, she was an elephant. Jumping into the air was a hard task, especially for some one her size. Emma bumped to the ground again with another huge thump.

In the corner of the room, some-one watched on secretly.  Then he came to introduce himself to Emma.  It was Bertie, an elder bull elephant who had spent his days performing tricks in a circus.  These days, he idled his days, watching time go by.

“If you truly want to be a ballerina,” Bertie said to Emma, “let me help you.  My years in the circus taught me many wonderful tricks.  I am certain I can help your dream come true.”

Emma smiled.  Could it be true?  Would Bertie really help Emma to become a fine ballerina?  Only time would tell.  Then a sudden notion came to her.

“What am I to wear?” Emma wanted to know.  “Any ballerina I have seen wears a magnificent tutu.  I must certainly be too large to dress in one of those.”

Bertie smiled.  “We can think of that later,” he told Emma.  “It is time we should practice.  We will prove you can be a fantastic ballerina.  Follow me.”

THE BIG BALLERINA

The large bull elephant led curious Emma down a short walkway in the wildlife park.  “This is a perfect place to dance,” Bertie said,  “I often come here to think.  Now, let us practice.”

Bertie guided across the field.  Together they danced in a perfect duet.  “Let us try that pirouette again,” Bertie giggled.

With his great strength, Bertie launched Emma into the air.  A huge grin crept across her face as she spun around until, oh no… Emma crashed to the ground with another great THUMP!

“OUCH!!!” she screeched.  “That really hurt my bottom!”

Bertie giggled.  “Never mind, Emma,” he said.  “It takes time and practice to become a fine dancer.  You must be patient.  Let us try that pirouette.”

The two elephants twirled around, spending the day dancing together until a faint voice distracted them.  “Emma,” the voice cried out, growing nearer.

“I am certain I know who that is,” Emma said, frowning.  “It is Felicity, the park ranger’s daughter.

THE BIG BALLERINA

Emma was right.  Felicity walked closer until she met with Emma and Bertie.  “Is it true?” Felicity asked,  “Do you really want to be a ballerina?”

“Oh yes,” Emma sighed.  “Bertie has been so helpful, but it is just a silly dream.  I could never a ballerina.”

Felicity scowled.  “You have been listening to those animals again, haven’t you?  You can dance if you want to and Bertie and I are here to help.”

“I still have no costume to dance in,” Emma sighed.

Emma’s young friend thought for a moment.  “Wait here,” Felicity said, racing away.  “I’ll be back soon.”

Bertie and Emma looked at one another.  What could Felicity be doing?  It was a curious thought.  The elephants danced until Felicity returned with a great big dirty box.

“Take a look at this, Emma,” she said, holding it out.  A smile crept across her face when she noticed Emma frowning.  Felicity spread her across the top of the dusty box and opened it.

“What is THAT?” Emma asked, screeching in amazement.

THE BIG BALLERINA

“This,” Felicity told her, “is my grandmother’s swimming costume.”

“Swimming costume?” Emma echoed.  Your grandma must have been a big lady.”

“Oh yes,” Felicity giggled.  “Why don’t you try it on?”

Emma frowned again then she crept into a corner to dress herself in the creepy costume.  All the dust made her cough.  What a crazy sight!

“That is why I have these,” Felicity said, smiling.  Then she rattled another tiny box.

Bertie and Emma peeked.  “What are they?” they asked together.

“Sequins,” Felicity grinned.  “In the darkness or the light, these sequins sparkle and if we sew them all over your costume, so will you.  Let me take your costume and I shall return with it in the morning.”

Emma and Bertie watched Felicity walk away, then they danced until the sun set. Darkness fell and back to the park they went to rest.  Their dancing was hard work!

THE BIG BALLERINA

Felicity burst into the elephant house next morning to see Emma dance away.  “Emma,” she whispered, trying not to wake other elephants.  “Your dance costume is ready.”

More crash, bang, thump.  Emma was too busy to notice.  She turned to see Felicity and walked towards her.  “I have your costume,” Felicity told her again.

Breathless Emma suddenly stopped her dancing.  She simply stared at Felicity.  “Is that really for me?” she asked.

Felicity smiled.  “Well, I can’t think of anyone else big enough to fit into this, except my grandmother and she no longer wants it.  Why not try it?”

Back to her corner Emma went to dress in her new costume.  Bertie smiled when he saw Emma return.  “Wow!” he said, looking at his friend.

“Is this costume good or bad, Bertie?” Emma asked,  “It is hard to know with the look on your face.”

Bertie smiled.  “That costume is perfect, most definitely.  Emma, you will make a fine ballerina.”

THE BIG BALLERINA

Emma smiled.  Was her dream that impossible?  Could she be a grand ballerina?  Time passed by and Emma’s dance practice continued.  More crash, bang, thump. 

“I have an idea,” Bertie told her,  “try to imagine that you are as light as a feather, perhaps you could be and your dancing will be wonderful.”

Emma tried her best.  Prancing through the large green field, Emma danced.  Then up into the air she leapt, twirling around, but it happened again…THUMP!!!!

“The other animals are right,” she sighed,  “I will never be a ballerina.  My dream will never come true.”

Bertie grunted.  “No more of that talk, Emma.  We will do this together.  Come, let us dance.”

Across the field Emma and Bertie glided with Felicity watching on.  The two elephants made a perfect dancing partnership.  Felicity was proud of her large friends, but the animals began to grow impatient.  “We want to see this ‘big ballerina’ dance!” they demanded.

Bertie winked at Emma.  “Let us show them.  You are a wonderful dancer and I have a surprise for you.”

THE BIG BALLERINA

“I must get my costume first,” Emma said, dashing back to the elephant house.

Bertie raced after her.  “Emma, there is no need,” he said.  “Wait here, I have a present for you.”

He raced away, but soon returned with the biggest box Emma had ever seen.  It was bright, colourful and new.   A large leotard and most delicate tutu lay inside and Emma’s face lit up.

“I can’t wait to see you dressed in this,” Bertie said, grinning.  “Why don’t you go and dress.”

Emma grasped the box tightly.  This was one present she would guard preciously.  She dressed carefully and slipped into her tutu then she raced back to Bertie.

He smiled.  “If that does not show those silly animals how wonderful you can look, nothing will.”

Emma blushed.  Bertie certainly had a way with words but he was right.  The new tutu was better than Felicity’s dusty costume.  Even she thought so, but the animals grew impatient.

“Where is she?”  They asked, grumpily.  “Where is this so-called ballerina?”

THE BIG BALLERINA

“Go to the elephant house,” Felicity told them.  Then she guided the huge crowd across the park.  They packed in and waited.

Bertie winked.  “Come on, Emma,” he said, “let us prove you can be a ballerina.”

Light music played and Emma leapt onto the stage, followed closely by Bertie.  They twirled around and around in a perfect duet.  Emma looked so wonderful the animals were speechless.  They waited for the most important bit, the pirouette.  Silence washed everyone when Emma took a deep breath and launched into the air.

Bertie smiled, watching his friend soaring through the air, then Emma gently floated to the ground.  No crash, bang, thump, just silence.  The animals did not know what to think.  Soon they too leapt to their and huge claps echoed around the barnyard.

“Emma,” they cheered, “That was amazing.  Please, dance for us again.”

Emma was pleased to oblige.  The crowd watched on while Emma and Bertie danced.  Dressed in her perfect leotard and tutu, Emma was no longer known as ‘the big ballerina’, she was simply a perfect one.

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