In Spanish. Meena is excited about the class play, a new and improved version of Red Riding Hood.
Meena is excited about writing and making sets for the class play, an improved version of Red Riding Hood. But when her teacher insists Meena be one of the trees in the forest, she is miserable. I can't, Meena says. I'm too clumsy.
The next day at the Indian store with her mother, Meena sees a yoga class underway in the back. Soon Mrs. Vohra, the owner, convinces Meena to try the new children's class. Over time Meena learns to breathe slowly and deeply-in, and out-and to make herself quiet inside. She learns to move in smooth, slow movements. But at school during play rehearsals, Meena still has trouble being a quiet, steady tree.
The night of the play, Meena trips on her branches as she walks onstage. Drawing on what she learned in yoga class, Meena quiets herself and begins to move slowly and carefully. Turning near disaster into triumph, she becomes the happiest tree in the forest.
Meena esta emocionada de estar trabajando con su clase en una versión mejorada de La Caperucita Roja. Pero cuando su maestra insiste que Meena sea uno de los árboles, se pone muy descontenta.
El siguiente día cuando está en la tienda india con su máma, Meena ve una clase de yoga en progreso al fondo. Dentro de poco la señora Vohra, la dueña de la tienda, convience a Meena a que trate la nueva clase para niños. Con tiempo, Meena aprende respirar lentamente y profundamente--adentro y afuera--para poder ponerse quieta por dentro. Aprende a usar movimientos despacios y fluidos. Pero durante los ensayos para la obra, Meena todavia batalla con ser un árbol quieto y firme.
La noche del estreno de la obra, Meena se tropieza en sus propias ramas caminando al escenario. Usando lo que aprendió en la clase de yoga, Meena se aquieta y empieza a moverse despacio y fluidamente. Convertiendo un casi desastre a un triúnfo, se vuelve el árbol más feliz del bosque.
About the Author: Uma Krishnaswami is the author of more than twenty books for young readers. She teaches in the low-residency MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Vermont College of Fine Arts. Born in New Delhi, India, Krishnaswami now lives and writes in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Visit her online at umakrishnaswami.org.
Ruth Jeyaveeran is the author and illustrator of The Road to Mumbai, praised by School Library Journal as a lively romp across India. Much of Jeyaveeran's fine art and illustration work is inspired by her South Asian heritage, so she felt an immediate connection to this story. Jeyaveeran lives in Brooklyn, New York.
