Mona and the Dream of Dancing
Best Friends
This is a story about a Garden Dance and when a dream came true.
Mona lived in a cozy little town filled with tiny, happy houses and gardens that said hello with their flowers. Mona was ten years old and had the brightest eyes filled with dreams. She lived in a little house painted green, like a piece of spring. Right next door lived her best friend, Jackie, who was eleven and danced like the leaves do when the wind tickles them.
Mona liked to sit on her porch every day, stretching out her legs, which had special braces. From here, she loved to watch Jackie dance in the garden shared by both homes. Jackie danced so beautifully as if she were barely touching the ground.
Mona wished she could dance, but her legs didn't work like other kids. She could only run and jump in her dreams. But oh, how she dreamed! She danced and twirled in her imagination, forgetting all about her braces.
One evening, Mona asked Jackie, "Do you think I could ever dance like you?" She wished she could.
Jackie sat down next to Mona and held her hand. "Dancing can be in many ways, Mona. Maybe there's a special dance just for you," she said, trying to give Mona hope.
Mona wanted to dance exactly like Jackie, with leaps and spins, and she felt a little sad thinking she couldn't.
Jackie hugged her and said, "It's okay to feel this way. But even if we can't have everything we wish for, there's still happiness in what we can do. We'll find a way for you to dance, too."
Mona thought about dancing that night, imagining her braces were wings that let her fly. But waking up, she remembered her wish was still just a wish. Yet, the stars seemed to whisper, "Be patient. Every story has its ups and downs, making it wonderful."
Mona then decided she would find her way to dance, not knowing this was just the start of a big adventure about patience, hope, and joy in unexpected places.
The Town Park
Everyone in town was excited that a special dance had been announced: A Garden Dance, where children were allowed to perform in front of the entire town at the park. No one was more excited than Jackie since she loved dancing so very much. As the day of the garden dance got closer, Jackie knew Mona wished to join too, not just watch the festivities.
Suddenly, Jackie had a bright idea. "What if we create a dance where we can move freely and together as a team?" she suggested. We could use the swings in the park for to create a wonderful flying dance, just the two of us.
Mona felt a spark of hope. "But will it really work?" she wondered.
"We'll make it work," Jackie said with such sureness that Mona believed her.
They got to planning a special dance, and the pair practiced using the giant magnolia tree where their parents mounted rope swings. Together, they made up a swinging dance to their favorite song, and they both felt like they could fly.
On the night of the Garden Dance, when it was their turn, everyone gathered around the swings to watch quietly.
As the music played, Jackie and Mona each sat on a swing and started swinging in opposite directions from each other. Ever so gently, their bodies and swings were gliding back and forth but to the rhythm of the music. As the music had more energy, so did their swinging. It was amazing how each movement they made was in perfect time with the other’s. Mona and Jackie had danced together in a way no one had seen before. They were like two parts of one heart, showing everyone that dancing is more than just using legs and feet.
When the music ended, everyone clapped and cheered, amazed by their dance and its message: we can overcome any obstacle and find beauty together with a little love and creativity.
Mona felt like she had truly danced, even flown, finding new freedom. This dance was more than just swinging to music; it was about helping each other accomplish dreams in unexpected ways.
Coloring Exercise
Have students color the big oak tree with swings.
