英文美文分享: Her Shoes Were Too Big（她的鞋太大）

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“比较是喜悦的窃贼。” — 西奥多·罗斯福

At the city ballet academy, Clara felt like an imposter.

在城市芭蕾学院，克拉拉总觉得自己是个冒牌货。

Her mother had been a legendary dancer—elegant, perfect, unforgettable.

她的母亲是位传奇舞者——优雅、完美、令人难忘。

Clara inherited her shoes but not, it seemed, her grace.

她继承了母亲的舞鞋，却似乎没继承她的优雅。

In every rehearsal, she stumbled where others soared.

每次排练，她都会在别人飞跃之处摔倒。

“Maybe I’m just not meant for this,” she whispered one evening, staring at the worn pointe shoes.

“也许这根本不属于我。”她某晚望着那双磨损的足尖鞋轻声说。

Her instructor overheard and gently said, “Don’t fill someone else’s shoes—dance in your own.”

她的老师听到了，温柔地说：“别试图穿别人的鞋，跳你自己的舞。”

That night, Clara took her mother’s shoes off and slipped into her own pair.

那晚，克拉拉脱下了母亲的鞋，换上自己的。

She danced—not perfectly, but honestly.

她起舞——不完美，却真诚。

Her feet found their rhythm, her heart found peace.

她的双足找到了属于自己的节奏，她的心也找到了平静。

Summary: “The only person you need to outdance is the one you were yesterday.”

总结：“你唯一需要超越的，是昨天的自己。”