She lived on the tippy top of the world,

in the most beautiful city.

She was a very interesting girl,

she was kind and smart and witty.

She was always her beautiful self,

and moved at her own pace.

She'd never apologize for who she was,

Her name was Charlie Grace.

Everyday she'd play outside

for hours upon hours.

Kicking around a soccer ball

and stopping to pick the flowers.

She was the middle child,

with two brothers by her side.

They told her she could be anything

just as long as she tried.

They taught her to be confident,

capable, courageous.

They told her, "You can do anything,

no matter how outrageous."

And so she grew and grew and grew

and realized her potential.

She became remarkable,

fantastic, influential!

She learned to dribble basketballs,

to climb trees, and make mud pies.

She learned to use a baseball bat

while closing both her eyes.

And though she was as tough as them,

as fast and just as brave,

she was also different

in a very special way.

You see, most runners like to wear

their sneakers on their feet.

Soccer players mostly wear

their shorts when they compete.

Skiers like to bundle up

while zipping down the slope.

Cyclists never wear high heels.

Well, at least I'd hope.

But Charlie Grace was so unique,

She couldn't dress that way.

So instead, she wore her tutu,

as if she were in ballet.

Her brothers smiled knowingly,

"You plan to wear that skirt?

At least please wear the proper shoes,

we don't want you getting hurt."

"Hurt?" she said, "I'm tough as nails,"

She showed them her big scar,

the one she got while wearing skates

and jumping way too far.

"I'm just as fast as you are,

but I'm also a princess.

I can outrun both of you

while wearing my sparkle dress."

It was true, her brothers knew,

she was the fastest one.

And with her crown upon her head,

she proved it, just for fun.

And so that day, her brothers knew,

she shouldn't compromise.

She could be fast, and strong and brave

and witty, kind and wise.

But she could also wear her dress,

her heels, and big pink bow.

She could wear her jewels and crown

and shoes that seemed to glow.

Being fast made Charlie great,

her strength made her so neat.

But for this athlete, her tutu

is what made her unique.

And so she took her brothers' hands

and grabbed her baseball glove,

she slipped on her tiara

and that tutu that she loved.

She walked with them out to the field

that was across the street,

and there they found a group of kids

who claimed to be athletes.

"Want to play?" her brothers said,

"We've brought some bats and balls.

We have a couple hours left

before our mother calls."