Whoosh

      It was a windy autumn morning, and Lola the fairy was having her daily flight around Buttercup Hills.

    After Lola landed softly on the ground, she ran over to Mrs. Holly the- duck.

    “Good morning Mrs. Holly!” said Lola in a kind gesture. 

    “Hello Lola! I wanted to ask you, have you seen Pino lately?” asked Mrs. Holly in a worried way. 

    “No, not really, is there something the matter with him?” Lola questioned. 

    “No, my dear, it is just that he did not show up to class today. I am pretty sad because today is the talent show, and I was looking forward to the seeing him,” answered Mrs. Holly in a sad tone. 

    “Oh my!” Lola responded, surprised.

      After a chat with Mrs. Holly and a few other students, Lola flew off to find Pino! It started to get even windier which made Lola have chills go down her magical spine. What if the winds took Pino away? She thought. After flying for half an hour, Lola started to get cold, and her wings started to hurt from the wind. So she decided to stop at Flower Blossom Forest. 

    When she landed hard on the forest ground, she realized that the trees blocked some of the wind out, so she could walk. 

    “Pino!” she called. Lola continued, “it’s me, Lola! There is no need to hide!” After calling a few more times she started thinking of what she should do. If I were Pino, where would I go? She thought. Then she remembered the Flower Blossom Forest Playground was Pino’s favorite place to go!

"Pino! Where are you?"

    She took off to the west side of the forest to find Pino. When she arrived, she was not surprised to see Pino sitting on a swing alone. 

    “Hello, Pino!” Said Lola in a calm voice. 

    “Hi,” he answered, quietly. 

    “I heard you did not come to school. Is there a reason for that?” Lola asked Pino. 

    “Yes, but it does not matter.” Pino looked away.  

   “Hey, there is no need to be scared to tell me something!” Lola said nicely. She continued, “I am here to help!” 

    “Fine. I am scared to play my violin in front of everyone. What if I do something wrong and everyone will laugh?” Lola then understood why Pino did not come to school today.

    “Pino, have I ever laughed if you made a mistake on the violin?” There was a pause.  

    “No…” Pino replied shyly. 

    “And you practiced a lot. Am I correct?” 

    “Yes, I suppose.” 

    “Then what is the point of being scared if you already know you will do well?” 

    “I… I guess you are right. How silly of me!” Pino chuckled. Both of them started to laugh. 

      After Pino climbed onto Lola’s shoulder, they lifted off to school. When they arrived, they came just in time for the show to start. As Lola sat down in her seat, the first contestant, Lilly the squirrel, came on stage and sang Old McDonald. Then, Jack, the hedgehog, did some magic. After that, it was Pino’s turn. 

    Pino came on stage looking nervous but excited. He took a deep breath and started playing Ode To Joy on the violin.  

    “He is a natural!” whispered Mrs. Holly in Lola’s ear. Lola smiled. When Pino finished, there was a big round of applause from the audience. Pino bowed with a smile ear to ear.