THE MAGIC TICKETS We want to introduce you to a very unique ant. Not your typical black ant, but this one was born a unique purple color. When they saw her for the first time, her mother Yvonna Mae and Father Jimmy James stood proud. Mom exclaims, “We love her no matter what. She looks as beautiful as my favorite flower!! Oh, Jimmy! Let’s name her Peony – Pee– oh – nee. You know, my favorite flower!” “Dear, you always say it wrong – it’s Pee–ah -­‐nee. And of course, she needs your cute middle name – Mae. Pee–ah -­‐nee Mae.”

“Oh, no, she is so unique and different, it HAS to be P Pee– oh – nee Mae. She is destined for great things, Jimmy James, GREAT THINGS. I just know it!!…” They soon find out she likes to dance. She loves to wiggle, to jiggle, and jump up and down. “What’s the matter, Peony Mae? You got fire ants in your pants?” “No, Mommy. I’ve got dancing ants in my pants!! HEY -­‐ I’ve got D’ants in my pants! Cool, huh?” Her mother loves to watch her d’ants, and many times, wiggles and jiggles with glee right beside her. Even her father, Jimmy James, has been known to jump and down from time to time-­‐-­‐but not in front of the neighbors, of course! Peony Mae and all of her neighbors live in the Trump Tire Complex in Cadillac Deville, Texas. A high tech city made of glass, metal and rubber and built on a hill of warm, red clay. For her fifth birthday, Peony Mae's parents gave her a very special present-­‐-­‐tickets to see the Radio City Rockants-­‐-­‐a troupe of legendarily, long legged, high kicking d'antsers. They were flying in from New York. Everyone loved the Rockants, so seeing them perform was a rare and special treat. Peony Mae's mother, in her youth, had dreamt of being a Rockant. So Peony Mae grew up on stories of high-­‐kicks, sequins, and split leaps! “C’mon, everybody, get d’ants in your pants!” she would declare with her favorite d'ants combination "kick and kick and wiggle, wiggle, pose!" Chin up, BIG smile!! Everyone knew she loved to d’ants! Especially her friends who liked to d’ants with her. They were the known as the "D’ants in your Pants Team." In Peony Mae's hand, even the ticket seemed magical as it glowed with color and possibility. She could hardly stand the wait and nearly drove her parents crazy with her excitement about meeting the Rockants, she HAD to be to be totally prepared.

She picked the perfect dress on Monday, running out the door, “Are they here yet? Can I meet them?” Tuesday she tries on her new hat, “Is it today? Is it today that I can meet them?” Wednesday : “Today HAS to be the day, right?” she exclaims, slipping on new stockings with pink hearts.

Patent leather shoes on Thursday. “Aw, c’mon, Mom, why is it taking FOREVER? Is it NOW? Can I, can I, can I meet them, PLEASE?” It was closer than ever. On Friday she persuaded her mother to buy a new shiny pink purse to hold the magic tickets. She even started to get dressed for the show. “NOW I get to meet them!” she said. "The show is tomorrow, my dear," her father explained. "And don't plan on meeting them. They have too many fans. It will be impossible." But Peony Mae truly believed she would meet them. Saturday finally came and they arrived at the theater. After trying to persuade the usher to get “d’ants in his pants” by doing her famous “kick and kick and wiggle, wiggle, pose,” Peony Mae didn’t want to give up those magic tickets to him as they entered the theater. However, her mother insisted, “it’s okay, dear, you’ll be able to keep part of the ticket.”

Then, moments later, as she gripped the cushion of her seat, the lights dimmed, and the hush of the audience sent a chill down her spine. That chill stayed with Peony Mae throughout the entire show.

By the end of the final number when the Rockants did their high kicks in unison, her teeth were chattering with excitement. As she jumped to her feet with the rest of the audience, cheers of “Bravo,” “Hoorah!” Superb!” and “Unbelievable!” roared from the crowd. Finally, the curtain closed and Peony Mae turned and asked her Mother to go back stage and meet them.

“It’s impossible to meet them, my dear.” her mother said. But at that same moment, the crowd began swarming its way out of the theater and Peony Mae’s mother got sucked into the crowd, leaving poor Peony Mae alone in her seat and crying. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked around the newly emptied theater. Her eyes eventually became so full that the lights began to sparkle through the tears and even the stage seemed shiny.

Or so she thought. As she blinked away the tears, she realized something had been left on the stage. Carefully, she climbed the stairs and made her way to the center of the stage where she found a beautiful sequined barrette with a red feather. She gasped with excitement as she reached to pick it up and didn’t even notice that she was no longer alone. “Hello there,” a voice called out to her. “What’s your name?” Looking up, Peony Mae could hardly believe the beautiful vision in front of her. It was a real Rockant. “But this is impossible,” she thought to herself. The Rockant seemed as magical as the ticket. “Are you lost?” she asked. “No m’aam. I-­‐I-­‐I’m Peony Mae” she stuttered. “I’m waiting for my mother. She brought me here because she always wanted to be a Rockant like you and now I want to be one, too. But I’ll never be that good. Is this yours?” Peony Mae handed the barrette and feather to the Rockant who smiled with her eyes but refused to take it. “No, that now belongs to you. I want you to keep it until you become a Rockant. Look at it every time you doubt yourself. Always remember, my dear -­‐ if you can imagine it, you can achieve it.

If you can dream it, you can become it. I should know. I never believed I could be a d'antser either.” An echo rang through the empty theater.

“There you are, Peony Mae!”

Peony Mae quickly spun on her heels at the sound of her mother’s voice. Unable to contain her excitement, she began to jump up & down, exploding with every detail as she bounced down the stairs. “Momma, I saw this barrette and I came on the stage. It is magic up there! I met a real rockant!” She carried on and on… That night her mother tucked her into bed while she held the barrette and feather. As she drifted to sleep with dreams of the Rockants kicking in her head, she believed, in her heart, that she WOULD be a d'antser someday, too. Yvonna Mae leaned down and gently kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Good night, little one. Sweet dreams. DREAM BIG. REALLY big…” THE END

LITTLE DREAMER… Peony Mae jumped awake with sparkles and sequins still swirling in her head. “Daddy, daddy, DADDY!” She ran downstairs to his open arms. He showers her with kisses. She grabs his hand and starts spinning circles as he twirls her. She giggles, she kicks and kicks, then finishes with her famous – wiggle, wiggle, pose (chin up and BIG smile)! “C’mon, Daddy, get d’ants in your pants!” He dips her as she arches backwards into his arms. “Last night was the best time of my whole life! I met a REAL Rockant and she gave me her magic barrette and feather!!” “Magic barrette?” Jimmy James exclaims. “I bet you can be a star just like her someday!”

“Oh, Daddy, do you really think so? I DO want to d’ants just like them someday! Can I take d’ants classes at Bonnie Joe’s D’ants Academy? When I grow up, I want to be a Rockant.“ Her mother states firmly, “Oh, Peony Mae, my little dreamer, it is really hard to make the team, don’t get your hopes up too high. I don’t want you to get disappointed.” “But Momma, she told me to follow my dreams…” Her eyes began to well up with tears as she drooped into the family’s favorite chair. “Yvonna Mae, remember her path in life is not the same as yours. Just because you didn’t make the Rockants, doesn’t mean with a lot of hard work and determination she won’t either! I know that losing your dream was a hard experience for you, but you never know. I fell in love you because you were a dreamer, now, let her be one, too.” Peony Mae looks hopeful at her mother. Yvonna Mae sighs slowly, deep in thought for what seemed an eternity. Then her mom walks away, “I’ll be right back.” She returned quickly with what looked like a roll of paper tightly wound with a big bow. As she untied the bow and began to unroll the paper, Peony Mae gasped as the image of the Rockant she encountered the night before began to appear before her eyes. Above the picture of the Rockant kicking her legs and standing on her toes, came these words: “If you can imagine it, You can achieve it. If you can dream it, You can become it.”

-­‐ Elsie Belle

“That is who I met, Daddy! Isn’t she beautiful? LOOK, she is wearing the magic barrette and feather! Oh, I’ve never wanted anything so bad in my life!” Yvonna Mae looks lovingly down at her hopeful face.

“Well, we have our work cut out for us then. Let’s go sign you up for those classes, my little dreamer. Mommy’s funky d’antser!” Yvonna Mae exclaimed. “Oh, thank you, Mommy! I want to take tap, jazz, ballet and hip-­‐hop, so I can look cool and wear all the fun costumes! I have to wear my magic barrette and buy some new shoes, pink tights, and a skirt. WOW, this is the BEST day of my life!” “Ours, too…” said Yvonna Mae and Jimmy James as they all cuddled in their favorite chair. “Let’s go hang up the poster over your bed so you can always remember to dream BIG.” THE D’ANTS ADVENTURE BEGINS… First, creative movement, acting like a lion was her favorite lesson… and a tree…(SWAYING IN THE WIND) and a human…(DON’T BITE ME! – with bug spray)

Hip-­‐hop was a real winner!

Upside down on her hands …. sliding on the floor…. Even spinning on her head… Ballet… (in the studio) Plie, Feet and arm positions…. Tendu… Passe… (More pics) That winning smile, sequined barrette and feather, and the endless costumes (sailor, tutu, lion, top hat and cane, sunglasses, beach/umbrella, etc, different studio photos through the years) Peony Mae had the time of her life at Bonnie Joe’s D’ants studio. It was a lot of hard work that led to trying out for the Raiderants D’ants Team in high school. She tirelessly practiced the try out routine for a week, and finally the big day! “As long as you try your best, that’s all that matters, our little dreamer!! “ shouted Jimmy James as he shuffled behind her rushing into the gymnasium. “We are always proud of you,” says mom as she blows her a kiss… And so they waited for what seemed like an eternity in the Texas heat on the front lawn, butterflies in their stomachs…. Peony Mae suddenly comes bouncing outside the glass doors, grinning from ear to ear.

“I made it, I made it!!!!”

Her parents had never been more proud as they ran to sweep her up.

Peony Mae’s dedication and hard work continued to pay off.

(Best New Raiderant of the Year/Miss D’ants Golden Tire/Top Ten D’antser at Officer Camp/Most Likely to Succeed) (Senior picture in cap and gown; D’ants picture wearing barrette and feather in same pose as Elsie Belle) Her senior year came and went very quickly. After her senior graduation party, Peony Mae snuggles with mom and dad in their favorite chair: “Wow, it’s like yesterday you were just a cute little ball of d’antsing energy.”C’mon, get D’ants in your pants! -­‐ Now, you’re all grown up,” exclaims Jimmy James. “Not a little girl anymore. So big! You are going to do great things. Remember, my little dreamer -­‐ Never, ever give up.” “Geez!! Okay, okay, mom!! You keep saying that. Enough!” Just as the summer begins, Peony Mae proudly announces “Now I’m going to try out for the Radio City Rockants!” “Are you sure you want to do that? It is so hard, there are so many d’antsers from all over the world. There are only a few that make the team, little dreamer.”

Jimmy James speaks up, “Remember, her path is different from yours. She has to try or she will regret not following her dreams. She will have all the courage she needs to face whatever happens… She has made it this far.” “Thanks, Daddy! Don’t worry about me, Mom. I have wanted this for so long, I have to try.” “Welcome to Antmerican Airlines Flight 1147 to New York City.” Peony Mae looks lovingly at her parents and waves out the window, feeling a mixture of emotions. Sadness, excitement, fear and nervousness. “I can’t give up,” she thinks. “I won’t give up.” She gently squeezes the red barrette and feather, the precious momento that changed her life so long ago.

“Can I do this?” she wonders-­‐ remembering the image of Elsie Belle giving her the barrette and the poster that still hangs over her bed… THE END FOLLOW YOUR DREAM… WOW!! She made the long journey to the infamous New York City in the Big Red Apple Bus. Everybody around her was moving so fast, people talking loud, the subways, the endless trains and all those yellow taxi cabs zooming like crazy! Peony Mae made her way through the crowds, hearing music and drums, seeing d’antsers, mimes and artists collecting money in guitar cases. One hip-­‐hop d’antser caught her eye, he was a different color just like her! “Wow!” she exclaims, “Oh, I have to go to tryouts or I’ll miss it!” She had to rush and barely made tryouts registration in time.

Her eyes got wide as the Radio City Music Hall lit up the night. D’antsers were swarming everywhere, stretching and warming up anywhere they could find space. She could see the competition was going to be fierce… Her heart was pounding in her chest. For a week, the d’antsers were taught many routines -­‐ high kicks, tap, ballet and props galore, her favorite was the suitcase. As a bigger surprise, Miss Elsie Belle from her poster was the Rockants Director and Choreographer. Wow, she was amazing! Peony Mae was having the time of her life and felt completely prepared the day of tryouts. She was even given her lucky number 44 to audition, now more excited than ever!! “It’s destiny!” she thought. Tryouts begin.

She made it through all the cuts, then Peony Mae and others were asked to do routines with some actual Rockants. What seemed to be a million d’antsers and endless waiting in the wings, an announcement rings out of the speakers: “Please come back at 7:00 pm and we will reveal winning numbers on the team board.

There will also be more numbers posted as Alternates, those who show promise will continue to practice and try out again in the spring. The performance tomorrow will include the chosen team and alternates, presented on National TV. Good luck!” The wait was torture, she called Mom and Dad for support. “We know you tried your best. That’s all you can do. Don’t expect too much out of yourself.”

“But I have to make it. I’ve worked for so long to make my dream come true…” 7:00 pm. So many d’antsers glowing with anticipation, holding hands, arms full of reassurance as they held one another. As the Team and Alternate board rolled down from the ceiling to center stage, screaming filled the theater. Hugs of excitement, tears of disappointment, bodies jumping up and down.

#44 – where is #44?? One look, a second look, a third – NOTHING. Then she remembered the Alternate Board. With shaking hands wiping her tears, she started to scan the second board and there it was -­‐ #44 – ALTERNATE. She did not make the team.

WHAT?! Suddenly, she felt lost, confused and stunned. She had been working for so long, pushing herself to be the best she could be. She had never tried so hard as this -­‐ she sat there in disbelief. “Everyone get ready for practice, thanks to all who came to try out. We wish you best of luck in the future.” And that was it. At practice, Peony Mae was 2nd from the end in the front row, in between two selected Rockants. As they practiced their kick routine, Director Elsie Belle kept getting frustrated with the girl next to her at the end of the row, her name was Kathie Lynn. After several corrections, she told Kathie Lynn to go back that night and “Practice with Peony Mae until you can do it correctly like her. Come back tomorrow and perform it right.”

Peony Mae was crushed – what an insult -­‐ SHE was supposed to teach Kathie Lynn?! But she was an alternate! Oh, this was the worst day ever! At the story of her disappointment, Jimmy James reminds her “ Never, never give up. No matter how hard it is. You can do this.” “But I can’t, it’s too hard. I just can’t. I don’t like how this feels. I can’t.” The tears don’t seem to stop.

“I promise, your hard work will be worth all the effort.” Jimmy James does his best to reassure her. Yvonna Mae’s head slowly drops, shaking her head, tears streaming down her face.

With shoulders drooped and downcast eyes, Peony Mae slowly begins the journey through the subways back to her room. She sees the same hip-­‐hop boy that was performing earlier, the one of a unique color, too. He was flipping over the others and actually landing on his feet. She was feeling very sad, but wanted to watch him, hoping it would take her mind off her disappointment. Minutes passed, she still sat, not moving, her head bowed, eyes glazed, deep in thought. “Hey, did you hear me? Are you okay? You seem so sad. My name is TJ.” Startled, she looks up as his voice slowly becomes clearer in her ears. “Oh, hi. My name is Peony Mae. I like to d’ants, too. I have always dreamt of being a Rockant. I worked so hard and I didn’t make it today. I just found out. I made Alternate. I have to practice more and try out again in the spring. What if I don’t make it again? I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want to go home. I can’t do this.” The story of the hardest week of her life begins to spill out… “Can’t do it? Don’t you see how far you have come? How much you have achieved? I have been dantsin’ here for so long and have seen thousands of hopefuls get laughed at. Becoming a Rockant is the hardest audition EVER. Everybody knows that. I bet you are amazing to make it that far, you just don’t know it… I hope to be great someday. I’m working hard, too and have lost many auditions. Hey, we should take d’ants classes together. New York has the most awesome classes. Now that would be EPIC!! My mom always tells me to d’ants from my heart and I will always be a winner.” Peony Mae had no idea what to say as her eyes started to well up again.

“I would love to d’ants with you. How fun! Okay -­‐ let’s do it!!” Within seconds, a great and lasting new friendship was born. After d’ants classes from the famous like aerobics teacher Richard Simmants, modern d’ants with Queen Ant Martha Grahant and ballet from Mikhail Bantrishnikov, among others, Peony Mae and TJ began turning heads in the subway, money filling up the tip case -­‐ lifting, spinning, sliding and jumping into the hearts of passersby.

They created their own “Funky Fusion” d’ants style -­‐ the “Hip-­‐Hop Pop ’n’ Rock”. Peony Mae continued working hard for months and was only 2 days away from her second chance at the Rockants. After another mind-­‐blowing subway show with TJ, a well-­‐dressed man in a business suit approached them.

“I am a talent manager and want to feature you both on the Antmerica’s got Talant Show. Have you heard of it?”

Their jaws dropped, eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you KIDDING? No, way! That would be EPIC!!” stumbles TJ. “ Okay, great! Come prepared to show that routine this Saturday, if they like it, you’re in! See you Saturday.” He said. “You guys make an awesome team! I love your style, I’ve never seen it before….”” We made it up ourselves,” was all they could muster, jaws dropped.

They both stood there, dumbfounded and breathless as he walked away in what seemed like a magic cloud. They were in complete silence. “Oh, my GOSH!! Can you believe it?” TJ somehow mumbles. “This could be our BIG BREAK!”

“TJ, I’ve been having fun d’antsin’ with you, but being a ROCKANT is all I ever dreamed about since I was a little girl. My last chance to make it is this Saturday at Alternate tryouts. I have to think about it. I am really confused.” “Maybe what you thought you wanted is meant to be totally different. C’mon, the Antmerica’s got Talant Show? ARE YOU KIDDING? Call me first thing tomorrow. Maybe we could make it even BIGGER than the Rockants!! C’mon, little dreamer!” Back in her room, she immediately calls her parents. “WHAT??!! This is the best news ever! Everybody dreams of being discovered and you could start a new d’ants phenomenon. A one-­‐of-­‐a-­‐kind new d’ants style. Imagine the possibilities!”

“But, Mom, its my last chance to become a famous Rockant. I’m so confused. I love d’antsing with TJ.” “I know, but there could be so many more TV shows, d’ants performances and travelling all over the world. Everyone would see you! Maybe your dream is not what you thought, only better. We believe in you. “ Daddy says: “Remember -­‐ think about those words:

If you can imagine it, You can achieve it. If you can dream it, You can become it… Can you imagine being bigger than a Rockant? Can you achieve more than you thought all along? Is a different dream supposed to become the destiny of your life? Remember – you have worked to become the best and now someone sees it and is offering you this incredible opportunity! Don’t give up – go for more than you imagined – you only live once, my little dreamer – make it worth it…” “WOW – Thanks, Dad! You and Mom have always been the wind beneath my wings. I will do my best. TJ can’t do it without me and I won’t let him down. I miss you and love you both so much.” That Saturday was about friendship, fun, support and hard work. The production team was ecstatic. Peony Mae gleefully shouts, “C’mon, Everybody, get d’ants in your pants!” Everyone jumps up to boogie, too! “Welcome to “D’ants in your Pants” stardom – it looks incredible on both of you!!” The talent manager exclaims, smiling from ear to ear. “Get ready for a magic carpet ride -­‐ I’d follow you guys anywhere!”

Peony Mae starts to realize: Wow – this is going to be sooo much more hard work, but soooo much more worth it. Maybe, just maybe – THIS is the best day ever!

An overnight sensation! In the months to come, they were invited to perform in more places than they could have ever imagined – China, Los Angeles, Queen Ant “Oprahant Winfrey Show,” D’antsing with the Stars, Queen Latifant, Ellen Degenerants, Kelly Rippant… Everybody wiggling, laughing, and getting “d’ants in your pants.” As Peony Mae and TJ arrive to visit her hometown of Cadillac Deville, Texas, it was like magic as they both run to her parents’ arms. The huge, beckoning crowds of ants were suddenly inspired and begin to shout, “I have always wanted to be a rock star.” “I have always dreamt of being a glamorous model…” “I have wanted to sell fancy, expensive antmobiles…” “I want to sing on Antmerican Idol…” Then, like a tidal wave, everyone begins to change into all different colors.

Red, hot pink, bright blue, yellow. Like a sea, joy was in everyone’s eyes as they stared at one another. “Anything is possible if you believe in your dreams!” “Your color is your magic, waiting to come alive.” WOW! Unbelievable! All that color… “So, that is why they were born a different color! All along they were given the courage and belief to follow their dreams. Now, everyone else wants to do that, too!” exclaims proud papa Jimmy James. “I knew it. You WERE destined for great things, my little dreamer.” Yvonna Mae sweeps little Peony Mae into her arms with kisses galore on her purple cheeks.

“Thank you for never letting me quit. THIS is the best day EVER!” Peony Mae hugs her best friend TJ and smiles from ear to ear. ”You taught me to d’ants from my heart and we will ALWAYS be winners! Always believe, always believe in your dreams.” THE END