The Muddily-Puddily Show

Listen

Inside the playhouse, nobody is speaking. Willa and Ashlyn begin to wash the paintbrushes, and Emerson helps Camille pick up costumes and put them away. Then, Camille starts to whistle “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Ashlyn picks up the tune, and begins singing their lyrics to the song. Willa starts to join her, in a soft, whispery voice. Then Kendall chimes in. When they’re done, Ashlyn says, “That’s a really good song, Emerson.”

Emerson hmphs. “If it’s so good, then why won’t Willa sing it?”

Camille puts her arm around Willa. “Willa, just tell Emerson how you feel. And Emerson, you need to listen, okay?”

Willa explains that Emerson is really good at singing and dancing. But it’s hard for Willa to be in front of people on stage all by herself. It gives her a case of the willies. Willa’s willies.

Kendall turns to Emerson. Kendall says that she’s working really hard to make the rain and wind and falling leaves, but she’s not sure she can. Maybe Emerson doesn’t understand how hard Kendall is working.

Camille agrees. Camille is working really hard to understand and memorize everything, but she keeps getting confused by all of Emerson’s changes. The ideas are great, but she can’t keep them straight.

And Ashlyn says her issue is the pumpkin costume. She can’t see out of it, and it’s hot and uncomfortable. Ashlyn doesn’t like being hidden away by the costume, but Emerson insists she has to wear it.

Emerson swallows and takes a deep breath. Then, without a word, she picks up her little round suitcase, and leaves the playhouse.