Ballet Shoes

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The old ballerina sat back in her arm chair and daydreamed. She remembered the places she’d danced in; Moscow, London, Paris, New York, Toronto, Vancouver. “Ah, such wonderful days." Glitter. Cheers. Flowers. Friends. Conductors.”

She picked up her two pairs of ballet shoes. “Ah, my friends” she said, “When I was quite young I wore you.” She looked at the smaller pair of ballet shoes.

“Then when I grew older and started on my career, I spent all the money I had saved and bought a professional pair of ballet shoes,” she then picked up a well work pair of silver coloured ballet shoes. “If only I could wear you again! Maybe you’re lonely too for the stage, the ballet….Swan Lake.”

Just about this time, a little girl was speaking to her own ballet teacher. “Joan, you’re doing so well. You have promise. You have a great love of the art. What you need now is a better pair of ballet shoes.”

“Madam Romanov, we’re so poor. It’s just Mum and me and Mum’s lost her job!” Joan said, with a tear trickling down her eye.

“Give me a day or two and I’ll see what I can do,” said Madam Romanov.

After Joan left, Madam Romanov picked up the phone and spoke to the old ballerina. She told her Joan’s problem and also told her that Joan had great skills, even at her young age.

“Send her to me. I must meet her. Maybe I can solve her problem,” smiled the old ballerina.

Joan met with the old ballerina and they talked on and on for hours about the joyful and demanding life of a professional ballet dancer.

“Joan, I need your help. I have two friends who are longing to dance again. Will you help them dance?” asked the old ballerina.

“Yes, Madam, I’m happy to help your two friends.”

“Here they are,” said the old ballerina and she pout the two smaller ballet shoes in Joan’s hands, and smiled and smiled.

“Oh Madam, you’re so kind!” Joan smiled.

“Come and see me often and bring my two old friends to visit,” said the old ballerina happily.
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