Each Friday, [tweetthis]I post a photo and a bit of flash fiction. I keep the words brief because, you know, “a picture is worth a 1,000….” [/tweetthis] To find out more click here.
Jane was a plain girl, with a plain name. She came a plain family, who lived in an exciting city, full of exciting people who did exciting things.
Jane’s family lived by the motto, “turn right whenever possible, and avoid oncoming traffic at all costs.” In a word or two or three, Jane’s family was ordinary, safe, and predictable.
Jane, on the other hand, sensed that she was destined for extraordinariness and she was definitely not going to blend into the background. Perhaps it was her her hair that fell to her shoulders in golden waves. That is, when her mother wasn’t watching to make sure she kept it under a sensible hat. Perhaps it was her lips, as red as rubies from the day she was born. Perhaps was Jane’s determination, an unusually extraordinary trait in Jane’s family.
Jane decided that she would travel in cartwheels. Everywhere she went, she cartwheeled there. Sometimes leading with her left arm, sometimes leading with her right. After all, she didn’t want one arm slack and wobbly, while the other was firm and muscular. She allowed herself a skip or a hop, in the event she needed to turn.
Jane cartwheeled all over the city, using the handicap ramps, instead of stairs, entering the “L” train with a single cartwheel followed by a hop and a cartwheel or two to her seat. Sure a few people got annoyed, but most smiled, some clapped, and occasionally some kindhearted soul gave her money and said thank you. Cartwheeling, it seemed, was a great way to influence people and make friends. Jane loved the attention and she was having a grand time.
I’m never giving up cartwheeling, she decided one day.
By the time summer arrived, Jane was as fit as any gymnast. Her abs were like rocks, her arms and legs resembled Popeye’s. She could balance small articles upon the ledge her perky butt formed. When she wasn’t cartwheeling, Jane certainly tried to expand her talents in surprising ways.
Perhaps that is what led Jane to her big idea and what, some say, to her extraordinary success. It wasn’t a surprise to Jane. She always knew she would be famous.
Jane made a YouTube fitness video. “Cardio Cartwheels.” Her many friends helped. It was nearly impossible for Jane to make a cogent instructional video while cartwheeling. Still and all, judging by the comments, the best part of the video was the segment on the Clinton Street platform. She had a Go Camera strapped to her belt so viewers could see how much fun she had while cartwheeling around the city. Of course, she spread delight everywhere she went.
After the “Cardio Cartwheels” Jane went very far indeed. Her name became almost as recognizable as Mark (The Bird) Fidrych.
If you don’t believe me, look it up on YouTube.
(No, don’t do that. This is flash fiction. Okay, just for kicks, I searched for Cardio Cartwheels on YouTube, and got a couple of videos. These are not Jane’s videos, nor does she endorse them. Jane’s not real. )