Olivia: The Inspired Dancer

"You can try and fail, but never fail to try". 

It was a normal day, Olivia came back from school. Olivia looked at Mummy, her face seemed too overjoyed. 

Olivia: What happened, Mummy? why are you so excited?

Mother: It's a thing to be excited!! Guess what? You have been selected for a state-level dance competition!

Olivia: Is it really what I am hearing, or is it a dream?

Mother: It's not a dream, my kid!!" 

Olivia jumped with joy as if it was the best day ever had! She changed her clothes, went for a bath, ate her lunch and soon after, she was ready to practice... Her mother was a trained dancer herself, so she was all ready to teach her daughter. Weeks passed by, and it was only one day left for the competition, Olivia and her mother gathered all her dresses, ornament, accessories for the competition. Olivia was nervous and could not sleep all night, but her father comforted her and she was finally asleep. She woke up early just because of excitement and got ready for the competition, her father said to her mother, "You go with Olivia, as there needs to be someone with her to reach the backstage" Olivia and her mother went backstage and Olivia was really nervous, her mother said good things to motivate and encourage her. Once she was calmed down, her mother left her and seated herself in between the audience. It was finally her turn and her name was announced, her heartbeat went fast, she enter the stage looked at her mother. The music played and she started dancing, she danced gracefully. As she was doing a classical dance, accidentally her right leg twisted in the opposite direction and she fell down. She cried with pain, and her parents rushed to the stage and took her and she was crying with pain until she slept and found herself in her bed. She opened her eyes and saw the doctor and her mother beside her, she held her mother's hand tightly. the doctor said," You'll be fine within a week. You've fractured your leg and even if it will be better in a week, as classical dance requires a lot of leg energy, you can't perform classical dance anymore...Once the doctor left the room and she cried for hours in her mother's lap. The very next day, she had to go to school, she didn't want to but she thought that there is no use in staying at home and sobbing. She went to school with her leg and was helped by many of her classmates. She sat on her bench all lonely, when her teacher entered the classroom, she saw that Olivia was really upset and then she noticed to her leg that it was fractured. In the break, Olivia used to be very active with her friends, but today she sat in the classroom and didn't even go outside. Her teacher Miss. Valerie came to her, and talked to her.

Miss. Valerie: What happened Olivia? You look so sad...

Olivia: Oh...It's you, Miss. Valerie... Actually, Yesterday I participated in a state-level dance competition, I danced pretty well, but in between...

Olivia started to sob, Miss. Valerie tried to comfort her, and she took her to the playground, they sat on a bench and after a while, Olivia stopped crying and told her--

Olivia: I twisted my right leg and fell down on the stage in front of the audience, and I guess there were somewhere around 700-800 people, and I fell down I was embarrassed but I could not do anything, I was helpless...my parents took me to home, the doctor came and examined me and told that I've fractured my leg and could not do any more classical dance, which I was passionate about...

Miss. Valerie: Sorry to hear about such a sorrowful incident of yours, but you know that there is no need to be embarrassed it was just an accident and nothing! It happens in life and it is full of obstacles, the main thing is how you tackle them... Hmm, Sudha Chandran would be a great example for you...

Olivia: Sudha Chandran?!

Miss. Valerie: Yes, You must be knowing about Sudha Chandran?

Olivia: Sudha Chandran! Hmm, I have seen some of her classical dance videos...

Miss. Valerie: Correct! She is an amputated Bharatanatyam classical dancer.

Olivia: What she was amputated?!, then how did she dance again?

Miss. Valerie: Sudha Chandran had an amputated leg, but she pushed her limits and continued her dancing. This is one of the best examples that nothing in life should stop you...

Olivia stood up high and went into the class bravely, Miss. Valerie was happy that Olivia has understood the meaning of her saying. As soon as the school was over, her best friend helped her to get into the bus and when she came home, her mother was waiting for her, she helped Olivia to get down, when her mother saw her facial expression (which was pretty glad), she was surprised, as when she went to school she was so dull and now she was great! Her mother knew that going to school would help Olivia recover faster. A week passed, Olivia went to the doctor to remove her leg plaster, the doctor made her do some leg tests to see that everything is going good. The doctor said,'' You have passed this one week so bravely! Seeing your confidence, I can really say that you can continue with your beautiful classical dance. Olivia couldn't believe what she heard, she was extremely glad and hugged her mother for giving her the confidence that she deserved. The very next day, when Miss. Valerie saw her in school walking normally. She went to Olivia and asked--

Miss. Valerie: So, what have you thought? 

Olivia: I have to say that your words have really helped me a lot...Thank you so much!!

When Olivia came from school to home, she was astonished to see an envelope lying on the centre table. She opened it up and saw that it was another State- level dance competition invitation!! She rushed to the kitchen and asked her mother about it, her mother said that the people who have invited you again saw that it was an accident through which you went, so they gave you another chance to showcase your dance. Olivia was as happy as she was when she got the letter the first time and made sure that she practised well enough, the day was there, she gave her performance and won the competition. Later on, she became a great well known classical dancer...