Hail

By Yusra, age 14

Tap, tap tap! “Is that hail?” I ask, slightly incredulous. Hail was definitely not how I’d imagined Shakespeare in the park. Even though it wasn’t summer, it wasn’t winter either.

“Yup, it’s hail!” laughs my mom as the hail comes down faster and faster on our windshield. Taptaptaptaptap. I’m overcome with giggles thinking of how the weather is never good when I come here for my Shakespeare classes. It’s always much too cold and my fingers become icicles. Then again, what else can we do? Given the pandemic, we can only meet outside. My mom giggles too and we laugh about our terrible luck when it comes to this park. Then, it’s time for my class, so I gather my blanket, backpack, folding chair, and courage, and step out of the car.

My mom giggles too and we laugh about our terrible luck when it comes to this park. Then, it’s time for my class, so I gather my blanket, backpack, folding chair, and courage, and step out of the car.

The hail having slowed, I walk quickly to where the group is congregating, setting up my chair next to my friends’ and tucking my blanket around my legs. I’m ready to face the cold.

“I was born free as Caesar. So were you. We both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter’s cold as well as he.”

Despite the temperatures, I had no regrets.