Hey Gretchen, Love Blue Tutu! Lots of great lines and lessons here. You're on a literary roll... G.

Gretchen, I love "Blue Tutu." It is so similar to something that happened to me in the 4th grade back in 1954. I was an artistic child...always had crayons or pencils in my hand to express myself. I spent all my leisure time drawing with whatever I could get my hands on, and on whatever was available. The week before Thanksgiving, our teacher handed out mimeographed papers of a big fluffy turkeys. I had just purchased a new box of 64 Crayolas, and I proceeded to use as many as possible on my turkey. A few of my classmates saw what I was doing and they, too, turned out glorious rainbow turkeys. We were quite proud of our turkeys. Mrs. Taylor was very displeased. "Have you ever seen a turkey that color?" she demanded to know. No, of course not. We hadn't. The ones of us who dared to paint outside the box did not receive a gold star on our picture. I was disappointed, but not discouraged from expressing myself. I still preferred my colorful turkey to the dull brown and gray ones of the other children. I knew that was not the way turkeys looked, but thought that's the way they should look. I did not let Mrs. Taylor's rigid thinking affect my view of how best to express myself. I still paint outside the box when I feel the need. Your story is beautiful! You painted pictures in my head as I read it. I could "see" those people --- the narrator, her very neat daughter, Bailey and Bailey's mom --- so clearly. It was like I was watching a movie instead of reading about them. I think I'll try to write my story too, although I'll never be able to do it as well as you did in "Blue Tutu." You've set the bar very high.

loved, loved, loved this essay! The "Blue Tutu" is a metaphor for so many things: liberation, creativity, and also, our hypocrisy. Looooved it. Oh, I already said that, didn't I? :)

loved, loved, loved this essay! The "Blue Tutu" is a metaphor for so many things: liberation, creativity, and also, our hypocrisy. Looooved it. Oh, I already said that, didn't I? :)

What a great essay! Awesome style! I look forward to reading more of your material. The title got my attention mainly because I was out shooting (pics) with my daughter, and that is exactly what she wore :) Check it out: http://flickr.com/photos/aseelaa/2712061749/ -Aseel

Great job! I think we all can learn from the rainbow apple & blue tutu! : )