Springtime in Peru, Indiana was always an especially beautiful time of year. Bright pink flowers and lush green trees are accented by the blue sky and bright sunshine above.  It was time for the dancers in Ariel ’s ballet class to perform their annual ballet. 

Ariel and her good friends Susie and Jan couldn’t wait to see what part they were going to play.  Miss Wilma would soon assign parts to everyone for this year’s performance of “The Ballerina Princess.”

The ballet was filled with dancing parts for birds, flowers, insects and butterflies.  "There will be more exciting parts this year," said Miss Wilma.  "The lead role of the Ballerina Princess will be assigned to a visiting professional ballerina."

Ariel, Susie and Jan worked very hard practicing their pirouettes, plies, jumps and turns for this special ballet.

They watched themselves in the mirrors as they performed their exercises while carefully stretching their legs, backs and necks so they would stand tall and straight.  Ariel practiced very hard because she hoped that one day she would be performing as the lead ballerina.  Ariel watched all of the lead ballerina’s movements with special interest.         

Susie and Jan saw what Ariel was doing and began kidding her about it.  Jan asked Ariel, “Why do you practice the lead ballerina’s movements as well as your own?”

“Because next year I hope to be the Ballerina Princess,” Ariel answered.  “By knowing the movements I can practice all year.  Next spring I will be ready for the part.”

Miss Wilma asked everyone to perform a short routine to help her decide which part to assign to them. Ariel stepped into position. She twirled across the room as the others watched and waited their turn.

Next it was Susie's turn.  She performed one pirouette after another without once losing her balance or getting dizzy.  Then Jan went through a short routine they had learned in class. She especially impressed Miss Wilma with her graceful arabesque and the way she kept her toes perfectly pointed.

Miss Wilma was very proud of all her students. It was obvious that everyone had been practicing very hard at home. "We are going to have a wonderful spring performance because all of you dance so well," she told them.

Then she announced the roles for the dancers as she showed them the costumes they would be wearing. Everyone already knew the Ballerina Princess would be played this year by a former student who had become a famous ballerina. Ariel and Jan would be butterflies. Susie would be a blue bird and another one of the girls would play the role of a caterpillar. All the dancers were happy about their parts as they left for the day.

That night all the little dancers called their families and friends to invite them to attend the performance.  Ariel called Uncle Ron.

Each afternoon Ariel, Jan, and Susie joined the other dancers to rehearse their roles for the upcoming recital. Everyone worked hard to learn their parts and Ariel continued to practice the part of the Ballerina Princess.

The weeks went by very quickly.  On the day before the performance, they gathered for dress rehearsal.  The lead ballerina entered the studio looking a little pale.  Suddenly, the lead ballerina sneezed.  She sneezed again and again.

Miss Wilma stepped over and asked, “What is the problem?”

“I think I am coming down with the flu," said the lead ballerina. “I’m very sad because I don’t want to let everyone down and there is no time for anyone to learn my part.”

A hush came over the group as Miss Wilma wondered aloud, “What in the world can we do?"

Just then Jan shouted, “But Miss Wilma, Ariel knows all the moves of the Ballerina Princess. She has practiced them every night on her own.” All eyes turned to Ariel.  

“Is that correct, Ariel?” asked Miss Wilma.

“Yes it is,” replied Ariel, a little embarrassed by the attention but happy at the same time. “I have practiced every night in hopes that by next year I would be chosen as the Ballerina Princess.”

“Well Ariel,” said Miss Wilma, “you now have the part of the Ballerina Princess!” 

For the rest of the day the dress rehearsal continued with Ariel in the lead.  There was one less butterfly in the garden, but everyone was happy to spend the extra time to work on the changes.

The big day finally arrived.  The Ballerina Princess performance was perfect.  The entire crowd full of family and friends gave a standing ovation to the dancers.  The boys bowed to the audience.  Ariel, Jan, Emma and the other girls in the dance curtsied as flowers were brought onto the stage.

Ariel was the heroine of the night and the star performer in the ballet because of all her hard work and practice.  What an unforgettable day this was . . . the day Ariel became The Ballerina Princess!