The Present By Nishita W

No! I can’t watch, this brings back horrible memories to me. I watch my friends dance gracefully at the dance studio while I plant myself in the dark, boring viewing room. I suddenly hear a creak then KNOCK! KNOCK!

Ugh! Here we go again I grab my crutches and reach the door moving as slow as a tortoise. What? How? I can’t believe my eyes. Something lies in front of me with a cloth covering it. Is this for me or is this for someone else? I hear voices saying “Of course it’s for you. We want you to dance with us again not watch us dance, miserably in the dark viewing room.” “What! How! Who said that?” I ask.

My heart is beating like a drum, I carefully pull the cloth off to see what’s underneath. Suddenly my head explodes with joy like never before, as I view the magnificent machine. I’m excited, mind-blown and obviously delighted. Right in front of me is a brand new wheelchair. Not a regular one, this one has been changed just for me. It allows me to move like a dancer on the dazzling dance floor. I see a small card saying ‘Never give up dancing, from dance studio friends.’ I give a grin to my friends, thinking how fun it will be to dance again but in a little different way than before. 

I try my wheelchair but ouch! That hurts, this takes forever. I’ve completely lost hope, I don’t think I can make it. Why does life have to be so difficult? I practise, practise and practise until I fall down with exhaustion. I’ll never give up. Gradually I get it right but it’s a very slow process. It takes hours, it takes days, it takes weeks, it takes months and it might even take years to get it right. Huuu! One more try. YES! I complete a perfect move for once, this is incredible. The next day, I’m proud to say to myself that I am able to dance again. I can dance with my dance troup now. Everyone cheers for me.


Click! Click! Tap! Tap! I imagine the dancer’s shoes touch the floor as they dance as lightly as birds on a delicate branch. The costumes and music are elegant and grand. We create a performance, telling a story to the audience. But hold on, what if I mess up? Then I tell myself you can do it! My ears burst with the encouragement coming from my friends. I feel confident, and my wheelchair and I become one dancer. 

Who would believe that this brand new wheelchair changed my whole existence completely?

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