
The Slow Dance
By ALEXANDRE DUARTE DE GODOI

17 Aug, 2023

Near the heart of a small town is a charming cobblestone square. It fluttered with life during the day, with merchants selling their wares and children laughing through games. However, as the sun set, a quiet calm descended.

Among the inhabitants of this quaint little town was a man known as Andarinho. Unlike others, his day started when the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky.

Andarinho was known for his slow, rhythmic dance. It was an oddly captivating spectacle that drew the curious onlookers even during the tranquil hours of the night.

The cobblestone square, illuminated by the soft glow of the street lamps, became his stage. He danced with a delight that was almost contagious, every move radiating joy.

There was no music, no elaborate setup, just Andarinho and his simple, soulful dance. His steps were slow, but carried an unmatched grace.

This was a routine that had gone on for years, a nightly ritual that brought life to the quiet square. Yet, it wasn't monotonous; each dance felt novel, each step held charm.

The townsfolk watched Andarinho's dance from their windows and balconies. His dance was a gentle lullaby for them, a tranquil end to their bustling day.

Some nights, when the moon was particularly bright, Andarinho would dance for hours, his silhouette casting long, whimsical shadows over the cobblestones.

It was during one such night that a little girl named Clara joined him. She had been watching Andarinho's dance from her bedroom window, enchanted by his rhythm.

Andarinho, with his kind eyes and warm smile, welcomed her with open arms. He showed her how to match her tiny steps with his, guiding her with care and patience.

Under the soft glow of the streetlights, Clara's laughter filled the square, adding a melody to their slow dance. Her joy was the perfect complement to Andarinho's dance.

Clara became a regular at Andarinho's dance. She started inviting other children to join them, turning each night into an unwritten celebration.

The dance grew in its charm, drawing a larger audience each time. It became the town's unwinding ritual, a spectacle for folks to enjoy after a long day's work.

Now, the calm that used to descend after sunset had a rhythmic pulse to it, a heart beating to the rhythm of two dancers on a cobblestone stage.

As the seasons changed, so did their dance. They danced under starlit skies, through the rustle of autumn leaves and under the soft fall of winter snow.

Andarinho's dance had taken on a life of its own. It was a joyous tradition that mirrored the town's spirit and unity. It was no longer just his dance; it was the town's dance.

As years rolled by, Andarinho aged, his steps slower, but his spirit unbroken. The dance continued, the spirit of it embedded deep within the town's soul.

Clara, who was now a young woman, took over Andarinho's role, directing the dance with the same grace and joy he once had.

Andarinho would watch from the side, a proud smile radiating from his old face. He found joy in seeing his legacy alive and well in the younger generations.

The town continued to dance, preserving the slow, joyous dance that Andarinho had started all those years ago. Clara carried it forward, ensuring its spirit never faltered.

The dance was their anchor, a comforting constant in an ever-changing world. The cobblestone square remembered each step, treasuring the rhythms they've imprinted.

Today, on a quiet evening, when the sun sets and the first star twinkles, the square wakes up for the slow dance. New faces join in, adding their steps to the rhythm.

As the dance continues, Andarinho's memory lives on. His spirit dances with them in every step, echoes in every laughter, resonates in every beat.

The small town, once quiet after sunset, now hums with the rhythm of life. Andarinho's dance has become an irreplaceable part of its heart, its joyous pulse carried on by the townsfolk.

It's said that even if you wander into the town on a quiet night, you can't help but feel the rhythm. And who knows, you might join in and dance along.