Ana en la competición de gimnasia

Ana is twelve years old, and today she is taking part in a gymnastics competition. She is wearing a blue leotard and waiting for her turn beside the floor.

“Ana, it’s your turn now,” says her coach.

Ana walks to the center, takes a deep breath, and smiles as she salutes the judges. The audience is silent. Then she raises her arms to start her routine, but she cannot remember the first move.

She looks at her coach for a moment. The music starts, but Ana stays still. Her face feels hot, and she hears a few people whispering.

Her coach raises one hand and makes a sign. Ana knows that sign: it means she should start with a jump.

Ana takes another breath. She looks at the white line on the floor and moves one foot forward. The music continues, and the judges wait. Ana gets her arms ready and, just before she jumps, thinks, “I can do it.”

Ana jumps and lands on her feet on the white line. She does not fall. The music continues, and she raises her arms. Then she turns once and smiles. Little by little, she remembers the routine.

The audience starts to clap. Ana hears her coach:

“Very good! Keep going!”

Ana runs a few steps and turns. This time everything seems easier. The judges write on their papers and watch her closely. Ana’s face does not feel so hot now.

But a new part of the routine comes. After the turn, she has to do a balancing move. Ana knows how to do it, but she cannot remember which foot to start with. She looks quickly at her feet, then at her coach.

Her coach does not make a sign. She only moves her lips, but Ana cannot understand her words. The music continues, and Ana has to choose: with her right foot or her left?

Ana chooses her right foot. She raises her arms and does the balancing move. At first, she shakes a little, but she keeps her body steady. Then she carefully lowers her foot and continues with the music.

Now she remembers the whole routine. She turns again, jumps, and moves her arms. She no longer looks at her coach. She looks straight ahead and thinks about each move. At the end, she stretches one leg, raises her arms, and stands still.

The music ends. Ana salutes the judges and the audience. Everyone claps loudly. Ana smiles, a little tired but very happy.

Her coach runs over to her and hugs her.

“You did very well!” she says. “Even though you forgot the first move, you found a way to continue.”

Ana looks at the judges. A little later, they announce the results: Ana wins a medal for her performance. She learns that one mistake does not have to stop everything.