A Young Girl Dances

 When Ashal was a young thirteen year old girl her legs seemed to be too long for he body but that did not matter as it soon became obvious to all that she was blessed with a talent to dance.She was the daughter of Arjun and Silka Soni and the older sister of Anu.She was a high spirited girl with a well developed sense of fun. On one particular afternoon, Ashal came out of her room with a strange glow in her eyes. Perhaps she was elated because she had completed her homework early.

Whatever it was had put a spring in her step. She was wearing blue jeans and a yellow top. She immediately walked over to the CD payer and inserting a CD that she had carefully selected from a rack. It turned out to be a bright number that suited her mood.Moving with a rhythm in her step but with a certain determination, she went over to her mother’s sewing room and began rummaging through some material off cuts. She collected seven pieces, all of different colours, and then returned to the lounge.

There, holding the pieces of cloth in her hands she began to sway her hips in time to the music.Not only could she dance well but she also had the ability to sing in tune to the music even though her voice was not yet fully developed. 

 “Listen to me my fellow soulsI’ll show you a way to reach your goalsYes come and listen to my wordsDo this and become free as birds.” 

As Ashal sang, she danced from one end of the room to the other. She did jumps and turns with a grace surprising for one so young. A couple of missteps and a near fall did nothing to dampen her enthusiasm. 

 “Know that God has a woman’s heart We must help Him to play His part Not for us just minor roles. Like sweeping up and darning holes.”

 “We can with ease keep up a home But still let our interests roam What is life while tied up in chains? Why still accept these self-made pains? “

"An anchored bird is not for me Heed my words and you’ll be free Why should I hide behind a veil? Is it my fear that makes me fail? “No, no, no.No veils for me No veilsI must let them go” 

Ashal swayed, turned and lifted first one knee and then the other. Sometimes, in accordance with the music, she lifted one knee twice in succession. All the time, she looked as if she was crazy about dancing and was ready to celebrate her skills. On one arm, she carried several silk scarves of many colours. She danced along a big circle. As she moved, she picked up a green one and began to sing again. 

 “Go veil one. Your work is done.” As she danced and sang, she let the green veil go. It drifted swiftly away as if blown by a breeze.  “As veil one flies to foreign sands I see that I can use my hands They can fix things like magic wands.” 

As she danced she moved into her bedroom and danced around her table and at one stage jumped onto her bed and danced there for a while, bouncing up and down on the springs.Then she returned to the lounge to continue her dancing there while releasing a blue and then a yellow veil which too were wafted swiftly away in turn. 

“There goes veil two to its own fate Now my body can celebrate As I run and jump and feel great And then veil three, not far behind I know now I’ve a conscious mind. .Watch me write poems of any kind.” 

By this time, her very curious sister, after staring at her in wonder, had joined in the fun and was dancing happily behind Ashal. It was not long before her mother, surprised by the sound of the lively music and Anu’s laughter, had also come to watch. Soon she too was dancing behind Anu waving a frying pan in the air like a baton. Still dancing, Ashal threw away mauve and cream veils in succession.

“Goodbye veil four You must depart.Let me enjoy my love of art Now I can paint what’s in my heart.” 

“And veil five. Fly away higher For I know my spiritual desire My heart looks up for something higher.” 

Ashal continued to dance with an air of calm sincerity. “Veil six go and let me feel whole Let me find my own hidden soul I’m free to make my dreams my goal.”  Ashal began then to dance on one spot. While swaying from side to side, she held the last, a golden scarf over her lower face allowing only her eyes to be seen. They moved from side to side as she continued singing. 

“No, my seventh veil. Stay with me.Hide what only my love may see For him I’ll keep what’s best of me.” 

Then after she had stopped dancing and was standing still, she kept on holding the golden veil over her mouth. There was a prolonged pause. Only after several minutes of silence, was it eventually broken by everyone screaming with joy and laughting. Ashal ran to flop down on the sofa and Anu immediately followed her and lay next to her sister excitedly hugging her.Their mother ran forward and embraced them both lovingly. There were tears of joy and wonder in her eyes.