In a little elementary school in the town of Marshville, Rachel and Ella sat together in their third grade English class.
Ms. Harriet was writing down short poems about nature on the board, and when she was done, she asked the class questions. What is the rhyming pattern here? What is the poet saying about forests here? Ella and several other students raised their hands eagerly, while Rachel, too shy to speak in class, wrote down her answers in her notebook.
Just the night before, Rachel and Ella had one of their own poetry-writing sessions at Rachel’s house. They did them every weekend, and the sessions usually went like this: they’d write their poems on paper, poems about princesses and fairies and love, and after they’d be done they would create melodies for them, singing on top of their lungs and dancing wildly.
Ella liked singing the poems, but what she loved most of all was to listen to Rachel sing them. She thought Rachel’s voice was beautiful, full of passion and confidence, and she wondered why Rachel never sang anywhere else.
Back in English class, Ella looked at Rachel as she wrote the answers down. Ella always wondered why Rachel didn’t answer the teacher’s questions out loud, when clearly she knew them! The two of them were more familiar with poetry than the rest of the class, Ella was sure. After class was finished, Ella asked Rachel about her quietness in class. Rachel thought for a few seconds, and said, well, I’m scared I’ll make a mistake, or I’ll mispronounce a word, or something.
But, even if you did, what would happen? People in our class make mistakes all the time. Ms. Harriet says we need to make mistakes if we want to get better!
, Ella reminded her
I know! I just don’t want to make mistakes in front of the class, that’s all. I know Ms. Harriet won’t get mad, but I don’t want to be embarrassed!
This stumped Ella. Why would Rachel want to hide just because of that? But Rachel… you don’t want to show Ms. Harriet how much you love poetry? Or anyone else?
I really do, but…
Rachel shrugged, looking down at her shoes. It’s just too scary.
Well what if…
Ella thought of the school talent show that happened every year. If Rachel prepared enough to sing at it, then maybe she could face her fear! What if you sang at the talent show?
Rachel gasped at this. Of course not, Ella! What if I forget the words?
Well what if you sang one of the poems that we wrote, so that way if you sing the wrong words, no one will know?
Ella suggested.
Rachel looked up at Ella, then, and Ella felt proud of her smart plan. You can also do a really short one of ours, too!
, Ella added, getting excited. When Rachel began to smile, Ella knew she had convinced her.
They had three months until the night of the talent show, and every play date that they had together, Rachel would vigorously practice the poem that they had chosen for Rachel to perform.
The poem had only four lines:
My heart ain’t small
And my eyes are bright!
I sure know who I want tonight.
If the stars gave me a chance
I’d shed their light on our romance!
When the day of the talent show eventually came, and Rachel stood in the hall with Ella before the performers had to go backstage. Ella asked her if she was nervous, and Rachel said, I think I can do this!
Nothing made Ella happier than to hear that. Yeah, Rachel you can!
, Ella said.
I’ve rehearsed so many times, nothing can possibly go wrong! Well—
Rachel paused, maybe some things can go wrong, like I can still fall offstage, and my voice can crack, or I can still forget the words even if I practiced them a lot—
Hey! Rachel!
Ella interrupted her. No matter what happens, you’re going to be amazing, okay?
They hugged for a long time, until Rachel went backstage, and Ella joined the audience. She was nervous for Rachel too, but mostly she was excited.
When the announcer called Rachel’s name, she strutted up to the microphone, and gripped the mic stand before she started singing.
My heart ain’t small, and my eyes are bright!
Her voice rang like crystal bells in the auditorium. Ella heard her classmates next to her gasp in amazement, and her chest filled with pride.
If the stars gave me a chance,
as Rachel sang that line, she wore an ecstatic smile on her face, but soon after, her smile vanished and she became silent.
She must have forgotten the last line, Ella thought with dread.
Rachel took in a shaky breath, and looked directly at Ella in the audience. Ella gave her a big smile, wishing she could hug her again and tell her everything was going to be okay. But just when she finished that thought, Rachel sang: I’ll… do a little fancy dance!
To end the performance, Rachel did a little bow, and the audience erupted in applause. Ella couldn’t believe it, Rachel thought of a new line on the spot when she forgot the original one!
From then on, Rachel was outspoken in class, and whenever she got scared of saying the wrong answer, Ella reminded her that even when she’d made a mistake at the talent show, it turned out to be beautiful.
