.
Slouched in a chair, little Felicity’s father flicked aimlessly from one TV channel to another. The telephone rang. He swore and slammed down his beer. She screwed closed her eyes and held her hands over her ears as her father ranted and raged in the hallway.
She peeped at the television and saw a dancer, swirling, spinning, jumping; almost flying. She had porcelain features, a doll like body, and a costume of the purest white festooned with feathers. She leapt into the air, and landed in the arms of a handsome prince.
Too soon her father returned and after making obscene remarks about the dancers, started switching channels again.
It was just a matter of time before she was removed from her family for her own safety.
Over the years Felicity passed from one foster home to another, creating trouble wherever she went. Scrapping and stealing; she became uncontrollable and ended up in a secure facility.
But in quiet moments her mind returned to the swan she saw too briefly on the television that day.
Six years passed and Felicity sorted herself out. She’s a dancer now. Every night she performs to an appreciative audience.
However, she dances alone, just her with a shiny chrome pole. She doesn’t wear a tutu, in fact she hardly wears anything at all, but it pays well, especially when she does private performances.
Everything she earns pays for lessons at the Dance Academy. She will achieve her dream. One day she will be a swan.
.
Thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr for hosting The Unicorn Challenge
© Ayr/Gray
may her unicorn fly
In time it will!
Aww, a heartwarming story Keith.
Thanks so much, Sadje.
You’re very welcome ☺️
Good to see your more serious side occasionally, Keith, and you’ve done this well.
Thanks, Doug, I let it show now and again!
…the serious side that always speaks for the humanity in us all.
Great story, Keith. I particularly liked the realism of the twist at the end.
Not a fairy-tale world – she was having to work with detrmination for her dream.
Thanks for your generous words, Jenne. In my mind she goes on to achieve her goal despite the route she has to travel.
*I admit having used 251 words, and promise not to exceed 249 next week!
Good take Keith.
Thanks so much, Di.
An encouraging story.
Hope springs eternal. Thanks, Patricia.
She deserves to be a swan someday.
I’m sure her day will come.
Wow, Keith… a man with a wide range – this is different than much of the fare you usually offer us, good Sir! Excellent.
~David
Thanks, David. My New Year resolution will be to attempt a more varied repertoire in future!
💪🏼
She will become a wonderful swan someday
As Danny Kaye once sang, a very fine swan indeed!
I do enjoy this more serious side of you, Keith.
What a lovely piece you have prepared for us today!
The unpleasantness in life,
the things we have to overcome to achieve our dreams.
Wonderful story!
Thanks, Nancy, I intend to sweep the puns aside more often in the future.
Not forever, I hope!
A deeper and quite touching piece this week, Keith, but delivered with your usual panache.
That’s much appreciated CE, thank you.
This was a beautiful take on the prompt, Keith. You did a magnificent job of capturing Felicity’s life in so few words while reminding we readers to not stop dreaming.
good work
sweet without excess sentimentality
had us (Readers) pulling for Felicity and not being let down
Lovely.