Dance is one thing I really like. It's like since school days I have loved to shake a leg, even though not a great dancer it still is something I love. Well, it is now nowhere but still is something that is at the back of my mind.
That is why when that day Sahil told me about a dance performance at school, I was all ears. He wanted to participate in it and I completely wanted him to do it. However I was a bit nervous about him taking to the stage as he was just 5, thinking about all the practice he might have to put in, which might be a bit too stressful for him.
But then that is where I came into the picture. I told him to say yes and tell me all about what he needed. Sahil came up to me all excited the next day and said," Mummy, I am going to dance as Krishna in this performance." It sounded great to have my son on stage in an important part.
I asked him if he knew anything about Krishna and Sahil said, "He was a god who danced and played the flute." That seemed enough information for a 5-year-old. I told him, "You need to look really charming while you dance and just smile a lot while performing, the real charm of Krishna."
The next day Sahil came home pretty upset. I asked him, "What happened Sahil? You look upset." He said,"Mummy, the teacher told me that I am not dancing properly. I felt really bad. I don't want to take part."
Although I did feel sad, but I couldn't force Sahil to take part in something he didn't want to. But then I thought these are the small things that shape a child, this is what will decide how he spends the rest of his years at school.
I went up to Sahil and said, "Why don't you want to dance Sahil?" He said, "Because mam said I was bad and I don't want anyone else to say that to me again."
"But Sahil, were you enjoying the dance before mam told you that?," I asked.
"Yes."
"Then you should do it. You dance because you enjoy it, you don't dance for others, you dance for yourself."
He looked a bit confused so I asked him to do the dance in front of me. He was hesitant but did it. I clapped and praised him endlessly. He was happy and then did it again. He was so happy that he showed it to his dad also in the evening.
I asked him again, "do you love dance? or is it just the praise that led yo to do it again today." Sahil smiled and said, "Mummy, I loved it. I loved it when you clapped but no one at school claps." I repeated, "Sahil, dance if you like to. Don't dance for the claps."
The next afternoon Sahil said he will be participating and that his teacher said he is dancing really well.
It felt good, good to see Sahil back and all smiles. A small performance at school is just the first step to everlasting confidence. Today Sahil knows that he is dancing because it makes him happy, he is not dancing to make others happy.
I have been getting his dress ready and feel like it's me who is taking the stage this time, once again.
Watching him perform as the little Krishna made me all teary eyed, I could see my son growing up, and hope he never lets his confidence down because of other kids at school.
Sahil hugged me tight after the performance and said, "Mummy, everyone was clapping." Everyone sure did for my little Krishna.
