Magic One Sock – A Tale of Fate and Transformation In the enchanting land of Sockville, where mismatched socks roam freely, there existed a peculiar tale about a lone sock named Magic One. This sock possessed an extraordinary power that no other sock possessed - the ability to shake. Magic One was not content with merely existing as a regular sock. It yearned for a greater purpose, to bring joy and happiness to its wearer. It believed that by shaking, it could fulfill this desire. The land of Sockville was filled with misfits, socks that had lost their match, their purpose.
The conversation was brief, I kept getting interrupted as the sparrows that seemed to be all over the Gili Islands had begun a systematic attack and were flying at me from every angle. I do remember the conversation being both compelling and in-depth.
She was quick to point out that apart from the pathetically weak bhang lassi a shake with marijuana in it I had tried in India , I had no experience with drugs. Chorus Austin Mahone In the night when the sun goes down And your wild side comes out Baby, that s when you shake it for me Soon as that door shuts Turn the bed to a club Baby, that s when you shake it for me.
The land of Sockville was filled with misfits, socks that had lost their match, their purpose. These socks felt lonely and abandoned, desperately seeking a way to find their missing counterparts. Magic One saw this as an opportunity to showcase its powers.
Magic to Do
“How can we use the written word as an avenue to promote activism, change or inspiration within our society?” was the essential question for the Writing for Change expedition course. Students in this course were asked to submit at least one of their written works for possible publication. Sienna Homsher ‘25 submitted her personal narrative, “Magic to Do” to Teen Ink for consideration. Her piece was accepted and published on October 28, 2022! Sienna writes in her Author’s Note, ‘In the spring of 2022 I performed in the show Pippin with a musical theater company in Boulder, CO. However, as we continued to rehearse and drew closer to the performance, we began to feel as if our characters were taking over. I learned the importance of good friends in a time of struggle and how we all wear a mask and put on our own shows in our daily lives.”
Magic to Do
by Sienna Homsher ‘25 Published in Teen Ink on October 28, 2022.
Frantic footsteps fill the space outside the dressing room. The air was sticky from heavy breathing. It smelt of dripping sweat and hairspray. The stench of unwashed costumes combined with the flurry of setting powder in the air made me choke. My head spun and faces blurred in and out of my vision. Pale, white faces, dripping in stage blood, decoratively painted, stared back from the mirror. Hearts raced, a stream of excitement, anxiety, and emotions wound its way around us like a snake. Fiction and reality wrestled in our minds as our characters began to take over. Suddenly, I was alone. My little skirt offered no protection from the cold, dusty floor. A slight breeze brushed past my leg, escaping from the door propped open. I was in the dark corner backstage by the door. The world spun and around me clowns and characters rushed to their places. I was protected from the swarm, hidden in my lonely brick cubby. No one seemed to see me, I was alone. My head weighed heavy in my hands and someone seemed to be pushing me into the ground. Was this even real? It felt as though someone had found the loose string in my brain and began to pull, unraveling everything. I’m not really here, this isn't really me. What is this? Where am I? I began to pass out. I couldn't breathe. Reaching out for the wall, anything to keep me steady, a hand gripped mine and the world went dark.
Rehearsal dragged on long into the night. “Again,” echoed throughout my skull. My muscles ache and my lungs felt like giving out. The bright lights seemed to drill holes in my head and voices rattled my brain. I felt like collapsing. My sweat ran lines down my forehead and my heart pounded in my chest. Another step, just another movement, just one more time. I want to leave, I want to quit. Anything to get out of here. Cold white lights bore down on me, burning my eyes. I reached deep inside me searching for any last spark of energy. As they demanded more, I found I brought less and less. Was I supposed to be here? Why am I doing this to myself?
“Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Gotta find my corner of the sky”
As I sang those lines I wondered, was it true? Was this mine or was I simply lying to myself, forcing myself into this suffering for one moment of joy?
“Hey, hey what happened? Are you okay?” I shook my pounding head, trying to bring my view back into focus.
“Why won't my hands stop shaking
When all the earth is still”
The images spun, not registering in my brain. I lay on the floor, two people hovering over me. On their faces were painted eerie smiles and tear drops. One had a gash dripping with blood on their forehead and their face was white as a ghost. I recoiled, lurching back startled. It took a few seconds before I recognized them as my friends, in full makeup and costume, ready to go onstage. I began to cry, sobbing against the wall. My skin crawled and I wanted to scream. I couldn't breathe and my chest wracked as I gasped for air. I needed to get out of here, run, anywhere but here. I felt them grab me, pulling me up as I slid down the wall. Arms wrapped around me, holding me tight and hands rubbed my back gently. Their soft voices eased over me like a blanket. Shaking, I softened into their embrace. It must have been a strange sight, three clowns all crying in a doorway.
A hush came over the audience, the lights dimmed. I heard Carrie step onto stage, the microphone crackling as she announced the show. Pippin! The thing I had dedicated my life to for the past three months. And this was it, closing night. My head still spun. I was Pippin, I was trying to find my purpose, I was drowning in this endless sea. The audience erupted in applause and the bright spotlight lit up the stage. We took our places and the lights began to beat down like a thousand suns. “Think about the sun, Pippin. Think about her golden glance. How she lights the world up! Well. now it's your chance.”
Step right, leap left. Spin. Smile. Remember your steps. Breathe. Reach for the lights and let the songs envelope you.
“We’ve got magic to do. Just for you”
As we took our bows I watched the audience cheer. They beamed with joy, grateful for the entertainment we had provided. It was never real but they applauded nonetheless. They loved the show we put on. They will never know, never see what happened backstage. When your show is good enough, no one cares what it took from you to put it on. No one sees behind the curtain, no one takes off the mask. Don't we all go from one show back to another? We hide behind our curtains and put on our masks. We search for our mark, always feeling one beat behind. But we return to that show, day after day. It is far less glamorous, without the fancy costumes or dramatic makeup. No script guides you and no director leads the way. There is no music, no intermission, and no ending in sight.
Holding up a jug he threw in a large handful of mushrooms. He was just about to slot it into the blender when he glanced at me, as though he were sizing me up, before grabbing another handful and throwing it in with the rest. Laughing like a mad scientist he threw the switch and broke into a quick rendition of ‘pass the dutchie to the left hand side’ as we both waited for the mushrooms to be sufficiently puréed.
One fateful day, when the sun was shining brightly in the sky, Magic One decided to embark on a quest. It embarked on a journey through the bustling streets of Sockville, searching for other socks that had lost hope. With every encounter, Magic One would begin to shake vigorously. Its shaking would cause a spark of curiosity in the lonely socks it encountered. Intrigued by this peculiar sock, they would gather around and listen attentively to its tale. Magic One would weave stories of courage, hope, and resilience. It would assure them that their fate was not sealed, that they still had a chance to be reunited with their missing halves. Inspired by Magic One's words, the lonely socks began to embrace their uniqueness. They realized that it was not their mismatched state that defined them but their determination to find purpose and companionship. As the socks discovered a newfound sense of belonging, they formed a community called "The Unmatched Union." They started organizing events, where they would showcase their individuality through vibrant colors and daring patterns. The Unmatched Union became a symbol of acceptance and self-expression. Magic One's shaking had sparked a revolution in Sockville. The once-disheartened socks now walked with confidence and pride, knowing that they were not alone in their journey. They understood that the search for their missing match was just as much a part of their identity as their mismatched appearance. In recognition of Magic One's contribution to Sockville, a statue was erected in its honor at the center of the town square. The statue depicted Magic One, frozen mid-shake, a reminder of the power of hope and transformation. And so, Magic One, the shaking sock with an extraordinary power, became a legend in Sockville. Its story continued to inspire socks for generations to come, reminding them that no matter the circumstances, they too had the power to create their own destiny and find their perfect match..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Dancing: How Shaking has Transformed the Art Form"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Maguc one sukn gotta shake". The storyline was weak and the characters felt underdeveloped. The humor was forced and fell flat most of the time. I also found the pacing to be really off, with some scenes feeling rushed while others dragged on. Overall, it just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Mark - 2/5
I couldn't connect with any of the characters in "Maguc one sukn gotta shake". They were all cliché and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their journey. The dialogue was also incredibly cheesy and unrealistic. The film tried too hard to be funny and ended up being cringe-worthy instead. I was really hoping for a captivating and entertaining experience, but unfortunately, it fell short.
3. Sarah - 1/5
"Maguc one sukn gotta shake" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The plot was convoluted and made no sense. The acting was subpar, with the actors delivering their lines with no emotion or conviction. The special effects were laughable and looked incredibly fake. I found myself checking the time constantly, waiting for the movie to end. I would not recommend this film to anyone.
4. John - 2/5
I had high expectations for "Maguc one sukn gotta shake", but it turned out to be a disappointment. The story was predictable and lacked originality. The pacing was all over the place, making it hard to stay engaged. The humor was forced and not funny at all. I was hoping for a captivating and unique magical adventure, but this film just didn't deliver.
5. Emma - 2/5
I found "Maguc one sukn gotta shake" to be a generic and forgettable film. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their journey. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, it was a mediocre film that didn't leave a lasting impression.