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By Aashaya Anand and tchaikovsky

Chocolate frozen yogurt stain on Chocolate frozen yogurt stain on pale pink stockings. Poetry that pale pink stockings. Poetry that doesn’t rhyme. Genre-bending, doesn’t rhyme. Genre-bending, seasons ending, arms extending seasons ending, arms extending out. Half-attentive sleepyheads, out. Half-attentive sleepyheads, sweat on marley floor. Teeth sweat on marley floor. Teeth colored peach & passionfruit, it’s colored peach & passionfruit, it’s summer and I’m dancing, see! One summer and I’m dancing, see! One hundred degree heat resting on my hundred degree heat resting on my skin and I’m dancing. Some strange skin and I’m dancing. Some strange pop-punk-indie-jazz music playing, pop-punk-indie-jazz music playing, movements not mellifluous for once, movements not mellifluous for once, but rather erratic and whimsical. but rather erratic and whimsical. I’m sorry if my arm collides with your I’m sorry if my arm collides with your shoulder, you see, I’m dancing and shoulder, you see, I’m dancing and it’s summer. I’m dancing and it’s it’s summer. I’m dancing and it’s summer. Back arching sideways summer. Back arching sideways like a cat, arms on floor, legs cutting like a cat, arms on floor, legs cutting through the air, I’m dancing and through the air, I’m dancing and it’s summer. Heads, shoulders, it’s summer. Heads, shoulders, knees and toes, I’m dancing and it’s knees and toes, I’m dancing and it’s summer. I’m sorry, Tchaikovsky’s summer. I’m sorry, Tchaikovsky’s getting boring. It’s the beginning of getting boring. It’s the beginning of beginnings and the end of endings. beginnings and the end of endings. Get up and throw your limbs for once Get up and throw your limbs for once in your life, ballerina, when was the in your life, ballerina, when was the last time you did something for last time you did something for yourself? Wake up. Summer wind is yourself? Wake up. Summer wind is knocking on the window. It’s time knocking on the window. It’s time to dance. Really, really dance. to dance. Really, really dance.

e, in a forest nestled between the e lived a ballerina deer named Mia he waltz of the river and practiced “1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3” she danced away rning, Mia decided to venture al practice spot and explore the n her favorite tutu and ballet shoes r adventure deeper into the forest, Mia began animals that seemed to share her a felt a rush of excitement as she other animals dance She had that she was the only one who his way, but now she realized that ole world of creatures out there her passion. She then saw bunnies heir pliés in a clearing, their furry ng in perfect unison.

By Neerja Chandan

Here is a fun story and game for you to enjoy this Summer!

Note for Parents - You can read the story aloud to your children while the dance and act it out like they do in class This is a great way to keep in touch with dancing and performing especially if you are on holiday and have to miss classes me amazing coordination,” said Mia. k you” said all the little bunnies waving ello, Mia! Would you like to join us?" of the bunnies

Mia nodded, and the bunnies welcomed her into their dance practice

As the sun began to set, Mia knew it was time to return to her clearing She hugged her new friends goodbye and thanked them for a wonderful day

The next day Mia goes to the forest once again

She sees squirrels leaping from tree to tree, performing stunning arabesques and pirouettes She decides to go talk to them A talented squirrel by the name of Mr Simon greets Mia “Good Morning” he said

The next day, Mia came across a snake She had always been a bit wary of snakes, but this one seemed harmless She approached it cautiously, keeping a safe distance To her surprise, the snake started to speak to her It had a soft, hissing voice and seemed friendly Mia was fascinated by the snake and they spent some time talking She learned that the snake was a skilled dancer too, but it preferred to dance with its body instead of its feet

“Hello sir, those are some beautiful turns” said Mia “Thank you my dear” said Mr. Simon. “How do you turn so well? I've tried so hard but I feel so dizzy after it” asked Mia. “It's all about your eyes and spotting, come let me teach you” said Mr. Simon. Mia watched carefully, trying to memorize every movement. "Now you try," said Mr. Simon, stepping back to give her some space.

Mia took a deep breath and lifted one foot off the ground. She spun around, but her balance wavered and she stumbled. "Try again," Mr. Simon encouraged her.

. She was fascinated by the snakes dance and learnt that their common love for dance brought them closer together, even tough they danced very differently. Mia then learnt to respect all dancers, no matter how different.

She planned to regularly go into the forest and learn, dance and play with her new friends. As the days passed, Mia continued to explore the forest and meet new friends. She danced with bunnies, squirrels, birds, butterflies and so many more!

Mia tried again and again, but each time she spun around, she couldn't seem to keep her balance She was starting to feel frustrated and discouraged

Mia started to improve She was able to spin around on one foot for a few seconds at a time without stumbling Her movements became smoother and more graceful

“Practise makes perfect” said Mr Simon Mia thanks him

She then decided to go home for the day, feeling tired and fulfilled

Mia realized how much these animals meant to her She had found a sense of belonging in the forest that she had never known before, and she knew that she would cherish these friendships for the rest of her life

And so, Mia continued to explore the forest and dance with her new friends She knew that there would be challenges and obstacles along the way, but she also knew that she had found a sense of purpose and joy in her love of dance She owed it all to her determination and the help of her friends