MOSES LAKE - A story of ostrich chicks and a lion that got outfoxed was the finale for the 21st Century program at Larson Heights Elementary. Students in the summer program performed a play for an appreciative audience of parents and friends Wednesday.

The 21st Century reading books have a play at the end of every chapter, explained Mark Radocaj, one of the instructors, and the idea came up to learn and perform one of the plays for the students' families. This was their first play, and they worked hard on learning their lines and following the stage direction, he said.

The students devised the costumes and scenery, Radocaj said. "They just kind of created everything from scratch," he said.

"The Lion and the Ostrich Chicks" told the story of five little ostriches who went running just for fun. But they ran so far from home they were scooped up by a passing lion. Luckily the lion was outwitted by advice from the clever mongoose, and the chicks went home and lived happily ever after.

The 21st Century Program is an after-school and summer program that provides enrichment activities for elementary students. The Larson Heights summer program ran for six weeks.