Una had always loved going to the stage to perform in many wonderful productions. One of her most successful performances, however, was one she almost never took part in. This is her story.
It was sunrise. Una woke up and yawned. It was almost 8AM and it felt like it was only 5AM. Una shuffled over the floor, being careful not to trip over the three sleeping forms on the floor. She yawned again, and at that moment, Pipsqueak woke up.
It was autumn. Una had been living on the island for several months at that point. She read the newspaper and noticed that there was another new play at the stage. It was a play that took place in Outer Space. She grimaced at the idea of a play that took place in Outer Space. However, she decided to check it out anyway. Maybe it would be funny.
Una whistled for Pipsqueak, and he came over to her. She clipped the leash to his collar and took him for a walk. His two brothers, Baltimore and Kellogg, watched them leave. Baltimore rolled his eyes and Kellogg merely smiled. Baltimore went over to a corner and went back to sleep. It wasn't any concern of his where Una took Pipsqueak. He was out of Baltimore's hair for awhile and that's all he cared about. He sighed and drifted off to his dreams.
In the plaza, there were alot of penguins waiting to see the new play. Una went into the stage and sat on a plush seat in the front row, and waved a flipper in time to the music. Pipsqueak looked at his owner. Was she just going to sit there and not bother to participate in the fun on stage? He wasn't going to let his owner sit and do nothing! Nope, not he!
'Ouch! What the heck! Pipsqueak, what was that for?' Una shouted, as Pipsqueak nipped her foot. He proceeded to lay low and let out a strange growl. He nudged her in the direction of the costume trunk. Una complied. She saw the director near the trunk, and asked him if there were any roles available. Pipsqueak stayed nearby, and Una felt nervous about the look in his eyes.
'Well, we're looking for a few willing actors to stand in as the aliens. Here's the costumes for the roles,' said the director, showing Una the script and the alien suits. She suppressed a grimace at the looks of the costumes. They were undoubtedly hideous! Still, Una realised that her puffle would never relent until she had accepted a slot in the cast. She smiled weakly and wiped the sweat from her brow. Now or never!
'I'll take one of the spots, then,' Una said faintly, and purchased her costume. She glared at her puffle, who seemed satisfied. She changed into the ugly alien suit and memorised her lines. Soon, she was on the stage, doing something that she'd never done before. She was performing in a play for the very first time.
It's funny how things just seem to happen for good reasons which we never seem to understand until we do them. That first acting performance made Una into something of a celebrity. She would go on to accept other roles in future performances as the months went on, and all the while, a little yellow puffle kept her going. Pipsqueak was a very clever little puffle who brought out something very good in Una, and he never let her give up once.
From that very first moment on stage, Una slipped into a new role that fit her very well. Future performances were highly praised by her fellow penguins, and she soon realised how much she loved to perform at the stage. Her favourite role came a few months after her debut as an actress, when the Superheroes play came to the stage. Una's performance as the courageous Gamma Gal was a great success, and very few ever forgot how she brought the superhero to life on stage.
It was even more of a surprise when several of the plays that Una performed in were considered for an award not long after her finest performance on stage. Despite the fact her best performance as Gamma Gal never landed the play an award, Una received an award for her contributions, anyway. It was the greatest moment of her life, holding her statuette, waving to the crowds, and all the while, gazing with pride at her greatest supporter, her yellow puffle, Pipsqueak.
Such is the story of the island's most wonderful plays, and the actresses and actors behind them. And behind the curtain of Una's success, Pipsqueak played an even more important role. He helped Una to realise a dream, and it's no wonder that his siblings admired him so much when Una won her award that night. Even Baltimore said that he was proud of Pipsqueak's sence of determination.
As for Pipsqueak, he continues to oversee Una's success as an actress to this day. If you ever see Una on the stage, you can be sure that a bright yellow puffle is nearby, keeping his owner in line, and watching her success with pride.
Finis.
