The Lone Dancer

The story is told of a young lanky man, who by reason of affiliation, was invited to a party.

With earnest expectation, he readies himself for the soiree, not nearly as differently dressed from others. It was the usual: an undershirt, a short sleeves shirt he had thrifted, an old worn-out trousers neatly pressed, and a pair of shoes he wore everywhere; a watch he had been gifted.

As open as the party was, he sees many guests, some he knew, others he didn’t, some who came in droves of the same attire, others as differently dressed as him. There were even some who had attended multiple parties together and hence were quite in tune with each other.

Item after item, the party proceeds. Tables are served, treats passed around. On tables with folks who were similarly dressed, they sometimes would have conversations easily flowing. Others would speak to new acquaintances hoping for a chance to attend subsequent parties together.

All throughout the party, the band had played exquisite live music. Folks who came in groups would quietly nod among themselves and hum to these tunes.

This man who, at this point, had been completely overtaken by the rhythms and tunes, and having fully soaked in himself the groove expressed on foot taps and finger snaps, makes a move. Quite unassumingly, yet boldly, he stands and smitten by the music, glides gleefully to the middle of the dance floor.

At first, he looks out of place; he’s the only one there. A few minutes later, his dance moves are stabilizing, now taking different swings but more confidently. He continues as the songs change and the music gets a little more electrifying.

After more than a dozen minutes of being on the stage alone, but to him like eternity, it becomes obvious he has become the center of attention.

You can’t but notice him. He’s smiling, dancing, now more confident than ever. Different goers joining and leaving with different songs but he, he stays steadily dancing the night away. The cheers begin, others willfully ignoring him, but it’s obvious now; he’s definitely getting invited to more parties. And this time he won’t go alone.

This is the story of a builder, a founder, a maker, whatever name you give them.

Thanks to Elorm for reading through a draft of this.