(Exposition)

This is Tina, an 8-year-old girl living in Appleville. It was the morning of the dream festival, a big celebration that happens once a year in the town center, where people share food, stories, and fun crafts. Tina’s family is in charge of putting the festival together every year. It was eight in the morning, and Tina was at the gym watching the adults set up their stalls.

(Rising Action)

Tina never liked the festival, because all people did was talk. “I want to go play. Why do I have to help you?” Tina sighed. “Tina, because it's important to help the community. Can you go give this book to Mr. Jostan?” her mom replied. “Fine.” she pouted. Tina’s mom gave her a little book with an x on it, and Tina stomped away.

At the first stall, she saw her neighbor.“Hello, there Tina!” Ms. Smith, Tina’s neighbor, exclaimed “Someone looks gloomy. Are you bored?” Tina nodded and looked around the booth. There was an interesting picture of a colorful doll on the table. “That’s a kachina doll. They show the different spirits in nature (Native Hope). The kachina lives in the heavens above, but they come down to earth for a few months each year (Gorlinski). The kachina chooses a tribe to visit, and they give good luck when the people pray to it (Wiener).” 

“It’s just about time that the kachina came down to earth. Who knows? Maybe you’ll sense them tonight. Their energy is everywhere” Ms. Smith smiled. “Why don’t you come here later? I'm going to tell a special story about this kachina.” Tina nodded slowly as she moved onto the next stand. Spirits in nature? Like ghosts? She wandered into a green stand.

(Climax)

“There you are! I was looking for you. Did you give the book to Mr. Johstan?” Tina’s mom stepped in. “No, but it's right…it's right…” Tina began. Uh oh. “Mom…I think I lost it. It’s not here anymore!” she exclaimed. “I told you to go to Mr. Johnstan right away!” her mom yelled, frustrated. “Don’t yell at me! I don’t even want to be here!” Covering her face, Tina ran away.

(Falling Action)

“Is that the famous Tina of the dream festival?” a cheerful voice said behind her. Tina looked around to see Ms. Sun, her daycare teacher. “It’s nice to see you here! Are you ok?” Tina shook her head, her eyes filled with tears saying “I lost something, and my mom is mad.” Ms. Sunshine took her hand “I’m really proud of you for helping your mom. You’re helping the community when you do that you know (National Geographic)?”

“It’s important to treat others the way you want to be treated though, and I think you should say sorry to your mom (Weiming).” Ms. Sun told her, as she pointed to a painting on her table. “This old man is Confucius. He teaches that it’s important to respect your parents and older people in the community (Mark). I know you don’t like the festival, but maybe look around, and see how you can help.” Nodding, Tina moved on.

Crash! “Ouch!” Tina rubbed her head. It was Mr. Johstan. He had a really thick book. “I’m sorry” Tina whispered, curiously looking at the book. “This is the bible. It’s the book that Christians use to follow God’s 10 rules (Ray).” Mr. Johnstan explained. “I use it at my church, and we learn how to forgive people, and be kind to them.” Be kind and forgive? Tina thought of her mom. “I have to go, sorry!” Tina ran away again.

People were coming into the center when Tina started to run back to her mom. She felt that she was getting tired, but she remembered what Ms. Smith had said. The energy of the kachina is in everything. They give good luck to the native people to pray to them. Tina ran past Ms. Smith’s stall, glancing at the kachina doll when she saw it. The book! Tina jumped for joy.