365 DAYS 365 TALES

THE 'LITTLE' AUDIENCE

The auditorium thundered with claps as Anushree walked on to the stage. The stage was empty today. No big drama set, or the cluster of instruments ready for the artists to lay there hands on. No. the stage was empty today, except for a single black piano which adorned the center of that big stage. 

Anushree looked at the piano. There was determination in her eyes that day. a determination to perform well, a determination to make her music teacher proud, a determination to make it a night the audience would never forget. But more than anything else, there was a determination to make her brother happy on his birthday.

There, among the hundreds cheering for her, sat a small little boy of six. A boy, she had hurt on his big day. He wanted to celebrate the birthday with his friends. Have a blast as they called it. But her performance today had forced him to accompany their parents to this auditorium. Though the lights in front of the stage blinded her of the audience, she was sure that amongst those hundreds, he'll be the one just sitting on his chair with a sour face.

Focus on the performance, her mind willed her forward. He will understand one day, her heart consoled her. Anushree took one last look at the audience before settling in her chair. Her fingers touched the smooth black and white keys as they gently started to get the feel of it.

Anushree was in her comfort zone now. The world around her didn't matter anymore. It was only she and her piano now. This is what she had loved to do day in and day out. This is what her fingers were used to, just sway with the tune.

Quite right as on cue, the whole auditorium became quiet as her hands started to dance with the keys. They moved effortlessly, every tune coming right from the bottom of her heart. There were notes before her eyes, but she knew she didn't need them. Anushree closed her eyes as the calming music seeped inside of her.

Anushree would have never wanted that music to stop. But like every book has to have a last page, her book of notes reached the last part. She struck the show stopping note. The whole auditorium felt the silence drown into them. It took them all a moment to get on their feet and rumble the space with their loud claps. Anushree could just bow down in satisfaction.

Slowly and steadily the claps receded as people started taking their seats again. Finally a time came when all the noise died down again, all but one. A little boy of six was still standing on his chair and clapping his heart out.

"This was your best performance didi," he shouted in his cute voice.

Tears rolled down Anushree's eyes. All day she had been thinking of giving a gift to her brother, instead, he had rejoiced her with his cute little self. He was the best brother she could ever have.

The announcer entered on stage as she patted Anushree with the appreciation she deserved.

"Isn't he the cutest brother," she commented, "he must really enjoy hear you play."

Again a pool of tears rolled down Anushree's eyes. The tears of joy filled with affection for her little brother.

Anushree looked at the announcer while taking the mike, "He is...he is deaf."

Another loud outpour of claps thundered the auditoriumthat day, this time for the 'little' audience they had amidst them.   

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(26/04)

cchinu

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This story is based on a nano-tale written by __anushaa_ in her book 

"Words Beyond Imagination"