Baryshnikov as a child

'I got lucky,' he [Baryshnikov] adds.  'I fell in love with dance."  Every ounce of energy he had was channelled into ballet.  According to Juris Kapralis, who became his ballet teacher two months after his mother's death, he was a child workaholic.  'Very serious boy.  Perfectionist.  Even in free time, go in corner and practise over and over again.  Other boys playing, Misha studying.  And not just steps, but artistic, as actor.  He is thinking all the time what this role must be.  I remember, once, Nutcracker.  He was 13, perhaps.  I was prince, and he was toy soldier.  After Mouse King dies, Misha relax his body.  No longer stiff, like wooden soldier.  Soft.  Our ballet director ask him: 'Who says you should do this?'  He answer: 'When Mouse King dies, toys become human.  toys become boys.  Movements must change.'  He devise that himself.  Small boy, but thinking.'

"The reluctant prodigal" by Joan Acocella.  The Guardian.  28 February 1988.