“SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS TOMORROW,” was the headline on the flier that Jackson showed Johnson. It was the annual AB Sea School of Music and Dance scholarship audition for less fortunate fish. Only one fish in the entire region would receive this award.

AB Sea School of Music and Dance was established 166 years ago as the most prestigious school of music and dance. Through the hallways in the 166 year history have swam some of greats of music and dance: the great pianist, Octavious the Octopus, the jazz flutist, Donna the Clownfish, composer and professor, Amancio Mancini, and of course, the great violinist, Maya the Seahorse.

But never in its 166 year history has there ever been a true tap-dancer to truly honor the school. Jackson knew this because he had applied at the school as a tap-dancer and received the scholarship. He never found the greatness in himself, but felt he truly found it in Johnson. And now as a teacher at the school he was offering Johnson a chance to show the school what they had long desired, the greatest dancer in the world.

“One problem,” Johnson said, “actually four problems, appendage problems to be exact!”

“How can I not think about something so obvious, so different?” said Johnson.

“Your arms and legs,” continued Jackson, “are what make you who you are. It’s because of your arms and legs that make you a great tap-dancer. And it’s your heart and desire that will make them see you for what you really are, an original.”

“An original freak!” laughed Johnson.

“No, an original masterpiece,” Jackson said.

“AN ORIGINAL MASTERPIECE!” was all that went through the mind of Johnson that night. He had practiced with his cousin Jackson till mid-night working on his routine that he would unveil to the teachers and judges at the AB Sea School of Music and Dance.

Though he could not sleep he knew he must rest to be at his best the next morning. He had plotted with Jackson to get him out of the house during the morning commotion of:

“Johnson, have you seen Johnson’s sister Johnson’s homework? I thought I saw you with it when you were playing with Johnson’s brother’s Johnson… blah… blah… blah!”

Like with any well laid plans there was a hitch.

“Good morning, sweetheart!” said Mrs. Fish.

“Oh-Oh sweetheart?” thought Johnson.

“That’s right son,” Mr. Fish interrupted, “we might even let you go out in public after we get rid of those, uh, let me see, appendages!”

And all at once the refrain began:

“Ha, ha, Johnson can’t go to school because he has, uh, huh, let me see, huh, uh, appendages! Appendages! Appendages! Appendages!”

“Now kids,” their mother interrupted, “your brother won’t have any appendages after today.”

A shiver went through his scales. After all this time he had finally accepted his body for what it was: an original masterpiece. Now, his parents had finally decided to do something to help him, but in the process destroy the original masterpiece.

In his mind he started to plot. Should he start an underwater fire? Run away? Or just pretend to be dead?

“Johnson, have you seen Johnson’s sister Johnson’s homework? I thought I saw you with it when you were playing with Johnson’s brother’s Johnson’s socks?” cried a frustrated Mrs. Fish.

At once, Johnson ran for the door with flyer in hand, a beautiful rhythm in his head and…

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

On the appendages he never knew he would learn to love so much.