Holding on to her dream through years of ballet lessons was hard, but letting go was harder still. One overheard conversation between her mother and her dance teacher, Mrs. Beauchamp, changed everything. After a recital, Mrs. Beauchamp took her mom aside and said, "I know the sign over the studio door says, 'We turn ugly ducklings into swans,' but to be honest, some ducklings are simply not destined to be swans. Unfortunately, Lisa is one of them. Ballerinas' bodies must be tall and willowy. Lisa is short and stocky. I'm afraid Lisa just isn't built for ballet."

Blah, blah, blah...

Lisa's eyes glistened as she stepped up onto the middle podium. The gold medal around her neck sparkled in the lights as cameras snapped and the National Anthem played. Her coach, Mr. Ellis was right, her compact, muscular body was perfectly built for gymnastics. After the closing ceremony, she sent Mrs. Beauchamp a quick message, "You were right that not every ugly duckling can become a swan. In fact, most ducklings become ducks. I have learned that being duck that makes the most of what it was meant to be is quite enough. Wishing you all the best, Lisa Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist."