I left ballet school still in my impeccable costume and with my soft ballet shoes on my feet. Next to the building, after a rainy afternoon, I found a large mud puddle that was unexpectedly steaming hot.

Curiosity won out. I touched it with the tip of my toe. It was really warm, almost comfortable.

Before I knew it, I had taken another step and another and before I knew it, I was in the middle of the puddle, laughing to myself as the mud climbed up my legs and painted my costume brown.

With each movement, the mud made funny sounds, and the sensation was strangely relaxing. In the end, she was completely dirty--ballet shoes, tights, tutu, everything--but she also had a light heart, smiling as if she had discovered a little secret hidden at the end of the rain.

I left there all dirty and very happy.