The Big Stage Debut

Mia opens both eyes and blinks into the morning light. On the chair by the bed hangs the dance costume – all those little sequins flashing like tiny stars. Today is the day! Mia jumps up, stops still and whispers, “I am dancing.” Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy.

Mia opens both eyes and blinks into the morning light. On the chair by the bed hangs the dance costume – all those little sequins flashing like tiny stars. Today is the day! Mia jumps up, stops still and whispers, “I am dancing.” Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy.

At the breakfast table Mia sits with a mug of cocoa, but the tummy wobbles with so much excitement that hardly a sip goes down. Then a fat blob of cocoa slides splat! off the spoon onto the table. Mia giggles. Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy – and all at once it is tiny.

At the breakfast table Mia sits with a mug of cocoa, but the tummy wobbles with so much excitement that hardly a sip goes down. Then a fat blob of cocoa slides splat! off the spoon onto the table. Mia giggles. Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy – and all at once it is tiny.

With the dance bag packed and slung over one shoulder, Mia walks down the street. The little theatre's colourful lights glow from far away, and the red velvet curtain shimmers through the window. Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy.

With the dance bag packed and slung over one shoulder, Mia walks down the street. The little theatre's colourful lights glow from far away, and the red velvet curtain shimmers through the window. Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy.

In the dressing room hang costumes in every colour, and sequins sparkle all over the walls. Mia pulls on the tutu – the sequins on the shoulders glitter in the lamplight like a whole night of shooting stars. Then up go the arms, one turn, and the layers of skirt swing softly all around.

In the dressing room hang costumes in every colour, and sequins sparkle all over the walls. Mia pulls on the tutu – the sequins on the shoulders glitter in the lamplight like a whole night of shooting stars. Then up go the arms, one turn, and the layers of skirt swing softly all around.

Then Mia is standing in the wings. The dance teacher points the way to the big stage, and out Mia goes, all alone. The warm stage lights settle round like a blanket. Mia lifts the chin and whispers, very soft: “Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy.”

Then Mia is standing in the wings. The dance teacher points the way to the big stage, and out Mia goes, all alone. The warm stage lights settle round like a blanket. Mia lifts the chin and whispers, very soft: “Flutter, flutter, flutter in the tummy.”

The music begins – a bright, hopping little tune. Mia lifts one foot, and then ... the next step is gone. The tune keeps going. Mia stands very still. Somewhere out in the hall a small light blinks, warm and friendly. And Mia swallows.

The music begins – a bright, hopping little tune. Mia lifts one foot, and then ... the next step is gone. The tune keeps going. Mia stands very still. Somewhere out in the hall a small light blinks, warm and friendly. And Mia swallows.

Mia closes both eyes for one breath – and remembers the practising in the living room, step after step, over and over, until the feet knew it by heart. Then Mia opens both eyes, lifts both arms – and off the feet go, all by themselves. One, two, three, and swing!

Mia closes both eyes for one breath – and remembers the practising in the living room, step after step, over and over, until the feet knew it by heart. Then Mia opens both eyes, lifts both arms – and off the feet go, all by themselves. One, two, three, and swing!

With every step Mia grows lighter. The dance hall floor mirrors the costume, and a second Mia dances along down below. Round and round and round, the layers of skirt flying, and the shining comes all by itself – it simply will not stay inside any more.

With every step Mia grows lighter. The dance hall floor mirrors the costume, and a second Mia dances along down below. Round and round and round, the layers of skirt flying, and the shining comes all by itself – it simply will not stay inside any more.

The last note rings out, and then – clapping! The whole hall claps and claps. Bright flowers come sailing down onto the stage. Mia bows very low, cheeks warm and red. Then Mia picks up a flower and holds it tight. The flutter in the tummy is a big, soft glow now.

The last note rings out, and then – clapping! The whole hall claps and claps. Bright flowers come sailing down onto the stage. Mia bows very low, cheeks warm and red. Then Mia picks up a flower and holds it tight. The flutter in the tummy is a big, soft glow now.

At home Mia curls into the sofa, the flower still in one hand, the soft blanket pulled right up to the chin. Both eyes go heavy. Mia thinks of the moment when the feet set off by themselves, and smiles. Flutter, flutter – good night, Mia.

At home Mia curls into the sofa, the flower still in one hand, the soft blanket pulled right up to the chin. Both eyes go heavy. Mia thinks of the moment when the feet set off by themselves, and smiles. Flutter, flutter – good night, Mia.