Stage fright. It can happen to anyone.
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| Image: All Rights Reserved |
| Victoria, B.C.: Orca Book Publishers |
| 2006 |
When the play was over, Mrs. Weedly said, “That was great, kids. Do it just like that tonight and you can all be proud.”
Reg and Keely and Burt and Shawna changed clothes and headed home.
“Wasn’t I good?” asked Keely.
“You were good,” said Burt.
“Good grief.” said Reg. “Can’t you ever stop bragging?”
“I’m just confident,” said Keely. “That’s a good thing.”
The four friends spent the rest of the day playing, until it was time to head back to school for the play.
They put on their costumes and waited. At last it was time for the curtain to rise. The grasses did a great job playing their part, and Keely stepped out to say her lines. The stage lights shone in her eyes, but beyond the glare, she could see faces, lots and lots of faces. She saw Mr. Webber wave.
Keely felt a lump in her dry throat. She tried to think of her line, but she could not remember it. She began to shake, and tear rolled down her cheek.
“Keely,” whispered Sarah, one of the blades of grass. “Say your line.”
Keely said nothing.
A small figure in brown crept onto the stage behind Mother Nature. “It’s all right, Keely,” said Burt. “You will be fine. You will be wonderful. Say ‘Plant a seed.’”
In a soft voice Keely said, “Plant a seed…”
“A little louder, Keely,” whispered Burt. “Plant a seed and watch it sprout.”
Keely took a deep breath and said, in a louder voice, “Plant a seed and watch it sprout.”
The seeds rushed onto the stage.
“See the tiny leaves come out.”
Keely smiled.
“Soil!” said Burt with a toothy grin on his face.
“And water!” said Adrian, smiling at Keely, and then at the audience.
“Warmth and light,” said Shawna.
“Help the seedling grow just right,” said Keely. Her voice was loud and clear. She smiled at the audience as the plants danced onto the stage. She smiled at Mr. Webber and at her parents.
Before Keely knew it, she was finished with her part and off the stage. She watched the rest of the show. Reg played his elm tree very well. When he came off the stage, he asked her, “What happened to the great actress?”
Keely hung her head. “Sorry, that was mean,” said Reg. “You just got a bit of stage fright. That’s all. It could happen to anyone.”
Extract from the book Out and about with the big tree gang
By Jo Ellen Bogart
All rights reserved.
Victoria, B.C.: Orca Book Publishers, 2006.
Call Number: JS English BOG
Extract contributed by Koh Chee Boon
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