First performance isn't the last one!

 He plays violin and makes us, parents, feel proud. He steps on the stage with confidence, for school orchestra, for his individual recitals or a performance on annual functions. He plays his part beautifully, without errors. His violin teacher is all praises for him too.

But looking back, this boy wasn't as confident when he was younger, in his preschool. I remember it was a fancy dress competition and my little munchkin was just 3, going to playgroup. I decided to make him a tree and made him learn only 1 slogan, "Save trees, Save nature!".

At home, when we practiced, he was doing it with conviction, and everybody in the family was excited to see him perform for the first time on stage. to boost his confidence further, we would clap and applaud when he said the slogan in style and credence.

I dressed him up in a green polo t-shirt, full sleeves, and brown pants to go with it, like a tree. I put some bandages and bandaids on his hands and legs, he had to limp a little and act like he(the tree) is bruised. I put a crown over his head, made of paper, cut out like leaves, and handpainted. Also had put a handmade creeper, around him and stuck it to his clothes.

As with any other excited mother, I clicked pictures of him after he was dressed up. These memories captured on camera facilitate sweet nostalgic revisits, don't they?

His dad couldn't make it that day, so he and I on my scooter, started, en route to school. I had placed a small planted pot between his legs and mine, on the foot mattress of the scooter. I had asked him to hand over this plant to his Principal after he finishes saying his line on the stage. This would add a special effect to his performance. I know, all our creativity oozes out when there are such artistic challenges thrown at us, as first-time mothers.

Him and me reciting his line boldly and loudly, conquering the winds, reached the school.

Firstly, I carefully lifted him and put him down, then gently lifted the pot and handed it to him. I parked the scooter and we entered the premises.

The ground was filled with kids wearing colorful costumes. I could see some familiar faces behind fruits and vegetable attires, some were dressed up as characters from our religious stories, and some were on their fours, attired as animals. Though some faces seemed nervous, the mother's exhilaration balanced it out.

I looked at my son, he had a big smile on his face when he saw his friends dressed up in funny and colorful costumes. They waved at each other. Then approached closer, discussing what each one is dressed up as.

The teacher announced that the competition was about to start. According to their roll numbers, each one was to be called onto the stage to perform.

My son was excited to see his classmates deliver their lines and act and display their talents. He happily clapped for them. But as his turn drew closer, I noticed that he was reluctant to look towards the stage. He suddenly asked me if it was okay not to perform. I could see that he was jittery and nervous. He started complaining that the crown was hurting his forehead, the creeper was itchy, and the polo neck of the tee was making him sweat. And I understood that he was in two minds, to execute his act.

I patted his back gently trying to calm him down. I wiped off the sweat, on his neck with a handkerchief to make him feel better. I adjusted the crown and the creeper.

But he said, "I don't want to go on the stage".

I gave him a sip of water and said, "It's okay if you don't want to do it. But you should atleast try. You're already dressed up for a long, for the act. We had practiced together and everyone loved it at home. So don't worry dear you will be fine".

My bolstering uplifted his mood. He went to the stage and kept the pot down on the floor. The teacher adjusted the microphone to his height and asked him to speak into it. He looked at the microphone and then glanced at me standing down, off the stage, holding my phone to record his first-ever performance. And he didn't utter a word.

The boost didn't work, it did take him to the stage but didn't hoist his skepticism.

I gestured for him to say his lines but he was reluctant. I just clicked his picture, his first time standing on a stage, yes, of course for my memory treasure trove.

And finally, after waiting for a few minutes, the teacher announced the next name.

It wasn't fair to wait anymore too, other participants were in line to perform.

I felt bad, I won't deny it. Being okay was for him to show. But deep in my heart, I wished he could atleast say a line, forget the acting part. Then we handed over the plant to the Principal sitting across. She thanked him and patted his head.

He wasn't ready to see eye to eye. He was feeling awkward or may be embarrassed. He was very small to explain his emotions and I didn't discuss any further.

We came back home. I made him change and his dad and grandfather asked him about his performance. He recited the lines in front of them confidently and said, "I didn't say this on the stage. I got scared".

I hugged him, and tears rolled down my eyes. I never wished that he would feel afraid of anything, moreover, never wished to force him to do something he is afraid of.

My Father-in-law told me not to get disheartened. He said there would be hundreds of more chances for him to perform.

Indeed, the experienced speaks the truth. My son confidently and successfully participated in annual functions, elocutions, one-act plays, and so many other stage performances, later in his preschool and subsequently thought out his school life.

"You should not be defined by one bad performance" ~ Ashley Wagner.

This creative journey is oblivious, nobody knows what turn it will take. Don't get apprehensive yourselves as mothers also don't demoralise kids by saying something that will remain with them for their entire lives. Enjoy the show, they won't leave you chapfallen always!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you like my blog hit the heart button ♥️, there's a comment box for suggestions and comments, for more, keep following!!!