Scarlett's Balinese Dance

Scarlett, with her big blue eyes twinkling like the sea, loved her red batik dress. It swirled around her knees when she twirled, which she did *a lot*. Scarlett was in Ubud, Bali, with her mummy and daddy. Everything was bright and colourful, from the flowers piled high on temple steps to the juicy mangoes sold in the market.

One day, Scarlett heard music. Not just any music! It was all clangy and tinkly and made her toes want to wiggle. She followed the sound and found herself in a big open space. There, a group of little girls, even smaller than her, were learning to dance. They wore sparkly headdresses and their hands moved like delicate butterflies.

“That’s a Balinese dance!” Mummy whispered. “Would you like to try, Scarlett?”

Scarlett nodded so hard her blonde pigtails bounced. A kind lady with a warm smile showed her the moves. It was tricky! Scarlett had to bend her knees just so, and move her fingers in tiny circles. She kept forgetting which way to look! Sometimes she looked left when she should have looked right, and sometimes she wobbled like a jelly.

But Scarlett didn't give up. She practised every day. She practised in the garden, she practised by the pool, and even practised while eating her banana pancakes (though that was a little bit messy!).

Then came the day of the big toddler dance competition! Scarlett felt a tiny flutter in her tummy, like a trapped butterfly. She put on her sparkly headdress and her best red batik dress. Behind the stage, she could hear the music getting louder and louder.

When it was her turn, Scarlett took a deep breath and walked onto the stage. The lights shone bright, and lots of people were watching. She remembered everything she had learned. She bent her knees, she moved her fingers, and she even remembered which way to look!

She danced with all her heart, swirling and twirling in her red batik dress. When the music stopped, the audience clapped and cheered! Scarlett beamed. She might not have won a prize, but she had danced her very best, and that was the best feeling of all. She knew, with a fluttery tummy and a happy heart, that she would never forget her Balinese dancing adventure.