It was Pet Week at Sunny Meadow Elementary, and Mrs. Davis announced a very special event: a Pet Talent Show! Everyone was excited to showcase their furry, scaly, or feathered friends.
Lily had a fluffy white rabbit named Snowball. She envisioned Snowball doing a series of adorable hops, but Snowball mostly liked to eat carrots and nap.
Ben had a goldfish named Finny. He wanted Finny to swim through a miniature obstacle course, but Finny mostly liked to swim in circles.
Sarah had a small terrier named Patches. Patches was enthusiastic and very energetic, but did not like to do anything that was asked.
The day of the talent show arrived, and the school gym was filled with excited kids and nervous pets.
Lily went first. She placed Snowball on a small table and tried to coax him to hop. Snowball just sat there, twitching his nose and looking bored. The audience giggled.
Next, Ben tried to get Finny to swim through the obstacle course. But Finny, true to form, just swam in circles, seemingly oblivious to the hoops and tunnels. The audience chuckled sympathetically.
Sarah went last. Patches ran around the gym, jumping on the audience members and trying to chase after the presenter. It was certainly a spectacle, but not really a talent.
The audience gave each act polite applause, but it was clear that the pets weren’t exactly cooperating.
Seeing their friends looking dejected, Lily had an idea. “What if we do something together?” she whispered to Ben and Sarah. “Like, all the animals at once?”
They quickly huddled together and came up with a plan.
They went back on stage, Lily holding Snowball, Ben carrying Finny’s fishbowl, and Sarah with Patches on a leash.
“We realized that our pets might not be the best at following directions,” Lily announced, “But they’re all really good at being themselves!”
She released Snowball, who immediately hopped towards the audience to hopefully find some carrots and to play around and pet him. Ben carefully placed Finny’s fishbowl where the audience could see him circling, while Sarah showed Patches his favorite toy and he stood tall showing it off.
The audience loved it! They laughed and cheered as the pets did their own thing, just being their adorable selves.
Mrs. Davis declared them all winners. The class learned that day that it’s more important to have fun and be true to yourself than to win a prize.
