April Halprin Wayland

Welcome, Flowers. Write your name on a name tag. Find a seat. Raise your leaf if you've taken a class here before. Let's go around the room. Call out your colors. I see someone's petal has fallen— please pick it up and put it in your desk where it belongs. Sprinklers at recess, fertilizer for lunch, and you may snack on the sun throughout the day. Excuse me . . . what's that in your mouth? A bee? Did you bring enough for everyone?

The scruffy house cat aches to fly— she dreams all day of wings and sky! So tonight she climbs the ladder, mounts a platform, nothing matters except to catch a thin trapeze then hold on tight with grace and ease. She swings herself by both front paws then somesaults to wild applause of kitchen mice, who, though dizzy, encourage Cat, to keep her busy.