The Piano
I have worked here for a very
long time. My master took me in when I was just about 10 years old. I was
living on the streets, abandoned and desolate. I was a lost boy in a world full
of cruelty and evil. He took me in, gave me a place to stay, gave me hope and
gave me life. All he asked of me in return was to take care of his home. This
place became the place where my heart resides. I was like a son to him, but
also I was his servant. Some might call me his slave, but I dislike the sound of
that. I did it willingly. He loved me and I loved him too. He gave me
everything I needed in spite of what I was. He is my saviour.
I was on the way home from
getting a few things at the store nearby when I saw this mini grand piano standing
on the sidewalk. It was left there alone. It was beautiful. It shined and
gleamed in the sunlight. I did not know how long it has been here. I have not
been out of the home for a long time. Nonetheless, seeing that it was left
there alone, I took it home. The house wasn’t that far away, but it was a slow
crawl as the piano was heavy, but I’d do anything to take it home.
I placed the piano in the main
hall. The hall was huge that when I pressed on a white key, its sound resonated
through the whole house with a melodious ring. I was happy to hear it and I
soon realized that I wanted to learn how to play it. Amazingly, playing it came
so naturally. I just read up on the piano a bit and soon enough, I was playing
my own melodies day and night as its song ran around the house. It was
beautiful; much more beautiful than I expected it to be.
I got addicted to it. Day and
night I spent my time in front of the piano, allowing my fingers to hover over
its keys. Hitting the right notes with the right tempo to produce the song I wish
to hear. Dah-dum-dum dah-dum-dum went
the piano as I played. It wasn’t long before I forgot who I was, and where I
was. I neglected the work to which I was called to do. It was as if my master
was never there anymore. He would call to me occasionally asking me as to why I
spent so much time with the piano and no longer doing my duty. However, he
never got angry at me. He still cared for me as he always had. I did not see it
then. I kept spending my time in front of the piano each day and night and only
doing what little work I could do before I went to sleep. Even in my sleep, the
piano played in my head; playing the little tunes that brought me joy. It made
me happy. I never left the piano. Even as I slept and dreamt, the piano played
in my head. It always played a happy and joyous melody in my head. It was a
part of me and it defined me. I love that mini grand piano.
One day my master left the home
for work abroad. The silence in the house was haunting. I was left all alone in
this vast house hearing only my footsteps wherever I went. Thankfully I had the
piano with me. I would spend the whole waking hours I had, filling the house
with song. I never rested. Even though my hands may ache, my love for the piano
was enough to keep me going. I wanted to hear her sing with each finger that
pressed its keys. It captivated me and I got lost in my own world with the
piano. I did not do any work at all. The house died around me. It collected
dust in every corner. The house was dying around me, yet I did not notice it
for I was so engrossed with the piano. The condition of the house did not match
the melodies that the piano sang from her very being. The song was beautiful,
so is the piano, but the house died.
On the day of my master’s
return, I thought I was due for much trouble, but I was not. He was shocked at
the condition of the house as he walked into it with the sounds of the piano
ushering him. I did not glance at him as I had my eyes closed and I moved with
the tune of the piano. He walked over to me and took my hands and I opened my
eyes, surprised to find that he was even there. There was a mixture of anger
and disappointment in his eyes, and they held love in them as well.
“I told you
not to spend so much time with the piano and to do the work you were supposed
to do. Now look at what has happened to this house. I want you to remove the
piano from this home, put it back where you found it and come fulfill your duty
which I have assigned you to”, said he in the most calming voice you could ever
hear.
I was devastated. Part with the
piano? I could not, but my master made it very clear. I know he did not force
me to remove the piano, but I lived in this house too. If I did not take care
of it, I myself would collapse as well. I held the thought however, and made no
plans to remove the piano. My master would come to me every now and then and
tell me the same words he did on the day he returned. I was very much disturbed
by it and I knew his rationale for that decision. It would be hard for me to
take it away; to return it to sidewalk where I once found that beautiful thing
standing.
I found that opportunity one
day. I had to be out. I made the biggest decision in my life, trusting in my
master’s command, knowing that he had meant it for good. I wheeled the piano
out of the house, taking care not to damage it in any way. However, I could not
prevent it from having hit the wall a few times. Though she took damage to her
side, but it was scarcely seen. It still looked beautiful in my eyes, all the
same as on that day I took her home. I left her there, on that sidewalk, not
knowing if she’ll be there the next time I returned. I left her there: that
mini grand piano.
I walked out each day now,
seeing if the piano still stood where I left it. It’s still there, storming the
rain and sun. It stood strong, it did. And every time I walked by it, I am
still captivated by its beauty and being reminded of the songs it once played
for me. I did not dare to place my hands on its keys for fear that I might be
tempted to bring it back home once more. The piano still lives with me though.
It lives in my heart, but this time the tunes were sad and quiet and silent,
but it still played in my heart. I will never forget the beautiful melodies
that made me happy, that meant everything to me. I couldn’t bear to see my
master’s dismay another time though time and time again I have disappointed
him. So I left the piano there by the sidewalk, hearing its silent call to want
me to play it again but I cannot bear to do it. Thus for always I keep her
songs running in my heart. The piano had all of me, but I do not have the
piano. I love that mini grand piano
