Page 18 - Highlights for Children (April 2020)

As Good as

Cinderella By Julia Gousseva

Art by Gillian Reid

“How did tryouts go, Shayna?” “All right,” I said. “But only today.”

Mom asked after school. In the auditorium, Ms. Carson
“Terrible,” I said. “Kristie got handed out copies of the script to the

Cinderella’s part!” cast. I sat in the third row, wishing I
“What part did you get?” Mom asked. were in my room drawing.

“None,” I whispered. I ran to my room Ms. Carson pulled a cardboard castle

and started drawing in my sketchbook. onto the middle of the stage. It was

Drawing always makes me feel better. brown with small windows and doors.

“What part did you get?” Ms. Carson turned on the music, and
Kristie and the Prince started dancing.
Mom asked.
I had to admit, Kristie was really good.
“None,” I whispered.
Ms. Carson hit a metal triangle with a

The next day, Kristie was bubbly. little stick 12 times. Kristie ran off the
But when the last bell rang, her mood stage and dropped her left sneaker. The

changed. “I’m nervous, Shayna,” she curtain came down.

said. “Will you come to rehearsal?” “Thanks, everyone,” said Ms. Carson.

I wanted to say no. Then I realized “We’ll go through the rest tomorrow.”

I couldn’t leave yet. My parents had “When will we get the real sets?”

signed me up for the late bus because Kristie pointed to the cardboard castle.

I thought I’d be in the play. “These are the real sets,” Ms. Carson

said. “We don’t have an art teacher this

year. So that’s the best we could do.”
Kristie and I walked outside.

Drawing always

makes me feel better.