At the very edge of town, where the woods and fields begin, stands a small house. A little girl named Vicky lives there. She is in second grade, a big girl already. Her blonde hair always sparkles beautifully in the sun, and her sky-blue eyes flash with magical sparks.
She is a girl with incredible energy and a smile that spreads joy everywhere she goes. Vicky has a gift – a talent. Actually, she has more than one, but only one is magical. She can dance. But if that were all, it wouldn’t be anything special. Vicky dances magically. Many times, her dancing has enchanted those around her – even back when the school held a talent show.
The principal announced over the loudspeaker: “Every child who has a talent should come to the gym tomorrow after the second class. They will show us what they can do. The jury – made up of me and the teachers – will then announce the winner. Children who do not want to participate will be spectators and can also help us decide who will be the winner this year.”
It was a big event at the school at the time. Everyone gathered in the gym. On one side sat the children, and on the other was the strict jury – the principal and other teachers. The children who were performing stood in a row at the side of the gym, getting ready. Among them was, of course, Vicky. But no one had any idea what kind of magic she had in store.
When the competition began, a few children sang, others played musical instruments, and still others showed off their soccer skills. Then it was Vicky’s turn. She smiled, closed her eyes, and began to dance. She moved so gracefully, as if she were flying – or even floating. Her feet barely touched the ground.
Suddenly, music began to play, and no one knew where it was coming from. The windows opened, and fragrant air slipped into the gym, swirling around Vicky. It was like a dream. The girl enchanted everyone with her dance.
That day, she brought home a medal. The jury, the audience, and even the other performers agreed that she deserved it. She has the greatest talent! Vicky was very happy with her medal and wore it all the time. Her mother was also proud of her dancer.
But when she came to Vicky’s room in the evening, she was horrified. There was a big mess everywhere.
“Vicky, that’s not right. Even the best dancer has to clean her room,” said her mother.
“But Mom, come on, I won a medal. With such talent, I don’t have to clean my room,” replied Vicky, shaking her head and beginning to dance. She wanted to enchant her mother. Slowly, the windows began to open, music began to play, and a fragrant, magical wind approached the window. But at that moment, her mother closed the window. Vicky stopped and looked at her mother in surprise.
“No, no, no, Vicky, that won’t work on me. You can’t enchant me with your magic. You dance beautifully and I’m proud of you, but you’re going to clean up. Come on,” said her mother sternly, yet kindly.
And so Vicky set about cleaning. And because she loved dancing so much, she swayed to the rhythm even while tidying up her room. When her mother saw the tidy room, she was prouder of her beloved dancer than ever before.