by Sandra Merville Hart
“If you want to try out for The Wizard of Oz, you have to sign up by 8:00 tomorrow morning.” Eleven-year-old Tegan entered the school cafeteria with her best friend, Jenny.
“Oh, that’s okay,” said Jenny. “I’m not trying out.”
“I’d like to.” Tegan led the way to their usual table. “But they probably won’t pick me.”
“The big parts go to the high schoolers.” Jenny tossed her lunch bag onto the table before sitting on the bench next to Tegan. “The Munchkins will probably be younger kids.”
Tegan unwrapped her turkey sandwich. “Do you think they’ll use any of us sixth-graders in Emerald City?”
Jenny opened a bag of apple slices. “You might be too young for those parts.”
Tegan frowned. “It’s not worth signing up, is it?”
“No, you should try out.” Jenny wasn’t joking.
“It’s Tuesday. Tryouts are Thursday after school.” Tegan eyes widened. “I’m nervous.”
“I’ll come with you,” Jenny offered.
“Would you?” It would be easier with a friend in the audience.
“What are best friends for?” Jenny gave Tegan a quick hug. “I’ll ask my mom.”
Tegan’s tummy rumbled nervously. “Don’t ask yet. I may be too scared.”
Tegan worried about the play all afternoon. At the end of the day, the sign up sheet hung on the bulletin board outside the main office with two pages of names. Tegan tugged her backpack further up on her shoulder and turned away. How could she compete with so many people?
Later that evening, her mother came into the office where Tegan played games on the computer. “Is something wrong, Tegan?”
“Maybe.” Tegan paused the game.
Mom hugged her. “What is it?”
“You have to sign up for tryouts by 8:00 tomorrow morning to be in the play.” It felt good to finally to talk to her mom about it.
“Do you want a part in the play?” asked Mom.
Tegan frowned unhappily. “I’m not sure. Every time the school puts on a play, it looks like fun.”
Mom smiled. “What part are you thinking about?”
“Well, not Dorothy, that’s for sure.”
Mom laughed. “Yes, that’s a lot of lines.”
“I’d love to be a Munchkin, but they’ll probably give those parts to fourth and fifth graders.”
Mom nodded. “That sounds like a fun part.”
Happy for the encouragement, Tegan smiled. “Playing one of the people in Emerald City might be fun, too. Jenny thinks those parts will go to high school kids. I’m always too old or too young. How come, Mom?”
Mom hugged her. “You’re just right, Tegan. No matter what age you are, you’re always too big or too little for something so just enjoy every age. I’ll come for the tryouts. It’s coming up quickly!”
She covered her face with her hands. “Don’t remind me!”
Tegan’s stomach ached from worry as she tried to sleep. Turning onto her side, she suddenly remembered she hadn’t prayed yet. Would God care about a school play? She decided that He would, since it was important to her.
She folded her hands and prayed, “Lord, I’m afraid I won’t be picked for any of the parts if I try out. My friends will figure I don’t have any talent. But the teachers might choose me. I don’t know what to do. God, please help me be brave tomorrow and put my name on the list. Help me not to be too sad if I’m not chosen. Amen.”
Feeling more relaxed, she thought about all the people already signed up. They were probably nervous, too. Her stomach stopped hurting and she fell asleep.
She signed the list as soon as she arrived at school the next morning.
On Thursday, Tegan and Jenny watched several people try out for the part of Dorothy. Tegan thought a tenth-grader named Stephanie was the best one.
Tegan jumped when Mrs. Burns called her name. Nervously she walked to the front where the teachers waited.
“Were you thinking about a particular part, Tegan?” asked Mrs. Burns, smiling.
Tegan’s eyes widened. “Well, I’d like to be a Munchkin.”
“Do you want a speaking part?” asked Mrs. Burns.
“Not really.” Tegan twisted her hands together. “A couple of lines might be okay. I’ve never been in a play before. I want to find out if I like it.”
“That’s a smart idea.” Mrs. Burns patted Tegan’s hand encouragingly. “We need several students in non-speaking roles to be Munchkins and as part of the choir.” She asked Tegan to sing for the choir director and called the next name.
Later Tegan felt happy as she rode home with her mom and Jenny. She had faced her fears. God had answered her prayer.