The children all gathered in the hall. There was a small group of musicians at the front of the room. The children were all chatting excitedly about it. The matron walked up to the front, and watch all of the children's beaming faces.
She smiled at their excitedment, and then clapped her hands to get their attention.
“Children, today we have some visitors!” she said with a shining smile. “There are some musicians here today who are going to perform for all of you!”
There was a wave of excited whispers as this was mentioned. Not many of the children had heard a live orchestra play before. Even though it wasn’t a giant, elaborate symphony orchestra, every single child was sitting on the edge of its seat, eager to listen.
Except for one. He sat all by himself off to the side of the group, glancing around nervously. He had his usual frightened eyes, on a blank face. The little car rolled back and forth across his lap. He wasn’t hearing anything at all. But neither the musicians nor the matron noticed; they continued on.
The matron walked away from the front, and over to her seat on the side. Her navy blue skirt swayed like a deep blue ocean as she walked. When she sat and got situated in the sea of blue, she motioned for the conductor to start.
He nodded and lifted his baton; the music started with an accented jolt. The children all jumped in their seats; they giggled with the delight of it.
As the beginning of the piece started, the child's eyes shot wide open instantly and he jumped up out of his seat, craning his neck to see the orchestra.
The music was imitating a horse race. There were sounds that resembled the horses running hooves, trumpets mimicking the fanfare at a race, and an unrecognizable instrument that neighed like a horse. The piece ended, which left the children eager for more.
The child began trotting along the back of the audience to get a better view.
The music then transitioned into a slow legato piece. It filled the entire hall with the glorious sounds of the instrument families. This one was impersonating a ballerina. The children could see her gliding across the stage, making beautiful lines with her long, slender limps. The music drew near and end, and it showed her finishing with an amazing turn sequence, and landing in a stunning arabesque.
The concert eventually ended with a light bouncy jig. It reminded the children of a jolly old man who just won a hundred bucks. Bows jumped around, just like how the man would. In the middle of the song, there was a fun fiddle solo, and the children laughed at the thought of the man step dancing to it. When the songs were all complete, it had the children on their feet, applauding and laughing with sheer utter joy. It was an amazing world that was painted for all the students to witness.
The child had made his way to the front of the side next to the seats that the children were applauding in. His eyes had the look that a newborn child has when they enter unfamiliar surroundings. But behind that scared look, he had a spark of inspiration. He continued to move forward, toward one final destination.
The children were allowed to go and talk to the musicians. They all chattered ecstatically back and forth to each other. The children asked about the instruments; they wanted to know everything about everything.
While everyone was talking, laughing, and explaining in a big group, the child reached an instrument, extended his fingers slowly, clasping them around the neck of a cello. He placed the car onto the stand in front of him. He then sat down in the seat, gingerly picked up the bow, and started to play.
He started soft at first, but his tone grew to a powerful level. Gorgeous music poured through the air. Musicians and children alike all turned to find the source of the music. Their eardrums were straining with admiration for every note. His song was a somber, but sweet tune. Tears streamed down his pain-filled face. He was putting his heart and soul into playing the instrument.
His piece finished with a long and graceful low A. He took a long, deep breath, and let it out slowly. He opened his eyes, and smiled.
His audience was so stunned with the allurement of the piece that they all just stood there, staring. Finally, someone came out of their trance, and started to clap. People who broke from the trance one by one joined in clapping. Pretty soon, the entire hall was cheering and applauding for him.
After an eternity, the applause finally calmed down. The conductor came up to the child with a joy-filled face. He extended his hand and said, “Hello! My name is Amara Ly. What is your name?” the child looked up slowly smiling, and stood up.
He placed the bow down gently, took Mr. Ly’s hand, and said enthusiastically, “Nice to meet you. My name is Chan, Chan Meng.” The matron had watched the whole scene in disbelief, and she gasped when she finally heard his voice. It was a confident, strong voice, unlike any she had ever heard before.
“Meng...” Mr. Ly pondered. “I’ve never heard that name before…tell me, where did you learn to play cello so brilliantly?”
Chan looked up at him in confusion. “Learn to play? I’ve never touched a cello. I’ve never touched one before in my life, let alone learn how to play it! I've only heard it!”
“Never what?! That’s absurd! You mean to tell me you’ve never touched a cello before ever, and you can play like that?! Just drawing from the sound?!” he questioned, flabbergasted.
Chan just simply nodded matter-of-factly. Mr. Ly ran over to matron, leaving Chan standing there confused, wondering what he said.
“Never touched a cello! Did you hear that?! Only heard! He must be a prodigy! Not must be! Has to be! You have to let me find a teacher for him matron! Just imagine how far he could go with just a few lessons!” an amazed vacant expression crossed his face. He was obviously in another world at that moment.
The matron stood there, taken aback by his enthusiasm. “Well…I honestly don’t know. How about you ask him. It’ll be his decision to make, not mine.”
Chan had heard the entire conversation, since he was only five feet away. Mr. Ly turned his head to look at the child, and both sets of brown eyes met. The child smiled and nodded his head, and the man smiled as well.
