My Short Short for the Day

Elga stared intently at the water as it rushed down over the rocks, disappearing behind the trees.  She listened for the sound of it crashing into the lake below.  Yesterday Master Seldin had stopped the flow of water so effortlessly.  Her test was tomorrow, leaving her only the day to practice.  It seemed so impossible, though.  Belief.  Master Seldin said that was the only thing holding her back.  Believing in herself.  How could she believe in herself when he was asking her to do something so impossible?  Yes, Master Seldin did it, but how could he possibly expect her, an amateur, to imitate him with something so…so beyond her.

No, enough doubt Elga.  She stamped her foot and huffed.  Focus.  Concentrate.  You can do this.  You have to do this.  If you don’t, who knows what Master Seldin will do if she fails.  Would he refuse to teach her anymore?  That would bring such shame on her family.  Humiliation on herself.  And disappointment from Master Seldin.  That would be the worst thing of all. 

Elga took a deep breath and held it for a moment then slowly whooshed it out.  Ok, Elga.  You can do it.  You can do it!  Elga stared intently at the water as it rushed over the rocks.  She heard the crashing as it hit the water down below.  She tensed.  She focused.  She stared, willing the water to stop.  It didn’t.  She asked it to stop.  It didn’t.  Frustration bubbled up into doubt then turned to annoyance.  Stop it!  She yelled at herself.  The water stopped.  Her eyes widened, holding the water suspended for a moment before dropping it. 

I did it.  I did it!  She smiled.  She danced around.  She cheered.  I did it!