Bella Berrymore's Arc

Chapter 1 of 3

Bella Berrymore stretched at the wooden barre, her rainbow fur catching the morning light. She wanted to become ballet's first rainbow bear, but first she needed to convince the festival director to let bears perform in the annual showcase. Her paws trembled as she thought about the audition. She reached into her tutu pocket and pulled out a honey cracker, munching quickly to calm her nerves. She had sent a letter last week requesting a meeting. Today was the day. The director had agreed to see her at noon, and Bella had spent all morning preparing. She packed extra candied violets in case words failed her. Her pirouettes were perfect after weeks on that lazy susan with the raccoons. Now she just needed the director to say yes. Bella arrived early at the white iron table and chairs in a clearing. Vibrant flowers decorated the metal, and blue plates sat next to a yellow tea set with a matching teapot. She had borrowed it all for this meeting. The director would arrive any moment. Bella arranged honey sandwiches on one plate and berries on another. She poured tea into two cups, her paws shaking so hard the liquid sloshed. A twig snapped nearby. Bella grabbed a cookie and stuffed it in her mouth. She smoothed her pink tutu and stood tall. This was her chance to show bears belonged on stage. A fox in a gray suit stepped into the clearing. She carried a leather folder and stopped when she saw Bella. The director's eyes moved from Bella's rainbow fur to her pink tutu to the tea set. Bella swallowed the cookie and curtsied quickly. "Thank you for meeting me," she said. The director sat down and picked up her teacup. "Your letter was unusual. Bears in ballet?" Bella nodded fast, her fur bouncing. "I built a stage with rainbow lights to practice. I can show you my pirouettes right now!" She spun three times before the director could answer. Her pink tutu flared out perfectly. The director set down her cup and smiled slightly. "Show me more." Bella led the director through the trees to the white wood stage with multicolored lights. She had set it up weeks ago to practice her routine. The lights glowed even in daylight, casting pink and blue and yellow across the stage. Bella climbed up and began her performance. She balanced on one paw, then leaped across the stage. Her rainbow fur looked like it was dancing with the lights. The director watched without speaking, scribbling notes in her folder. When Bella finished, she was breathing hard and grinning. The director looked up from her notes. "I'll put you on the schedule. Check the white iron billboard by the forest path next week. If this works, other bears can audition too." Bella squeaked and pulled out her candied violets, eating three at once. She had done it.