Ludwig van Beethoven

Chapter 1

As a young boy walked down a trail in the forest behind his home in Bonn, birds sang. They sang and Ludwig hummed along. He loved walking outside for this very reason. The only sound was music of nature. It was so peaceful.

"Ludwig!"

A sense of dread filled him. His father was calling. Sighing, turned around and headed home. This was another reason he liked the outdoors, and music for that matter. It took him away from his home life, his family troubles, and his daily worries. Music was an escape for Ludwig.

He stopped the back door to his home, taking a deep breath and preparing himself for his father's lecture. And, somehow-both against his better judgement and in his best judgment-Ludwig pulled open the door and entered. Walking toward the drawing room that his father would most predictably be in, Ludwig ran over possible scenarios in his head.

His lip curled. Each time he thought of some possible outcome, his mind created some kind of music to go along with it. Ludwig chuckled quietly to himself.

Before he entered the drawing room, however, he stopped and adopted his most ashamed face. He entered and tried to look as guilty as possible.

"Ludwig!" his father said in his most commanding voice. Ludwig's father was a man who worked the tabernacle. He was an alcohol addict, which-even though he tutored and sang in the tabernacle-made money hard to come by. Ludwig's father was named Johann, and he was an intimidating man. He was tall and his face was set, his eyes steely.

"Yes, Father?" Ludwig asked. Even though he said 'Father', it was an empty term-there was no emotion behind it.

"What were you doing?" It was a question, but his father made it sound less like a question and more like a demand.

Even though Ludwig had to fake guilt at first, now he felt himself sweat in the presence of his father's rage. "Father, I-uh-was outside." Ludwig rung his hands behind his back, nervous as to how his father would take this.

"Why on earth would you be out there?" his father asked, his incredulousness showing and his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Because that-that is where I think best."

"Outside?"

"Y-yes." Ludwig cleared his throat. "Yes, Father."

Fire danced in his father's eyes. He sneered. "So...It seems that you take after your grandfather." He laughed, but the sound was cold and harsh. "The meddlesome fool. Always going on about such foolishness. Perhaps a lesson is in order."