Author's Note:
This story is one submissions to the Frigate in school, it will be published. It's one of my short stories.
The Music Box
A light sound of a familiar tune plays softly in my head as I close my eyes right before the curtains rise up. The tune always brings me back to when I was a little girl…
When I was six, my grandfather gave me a special gift, it was a music box. When you opened it there is a dancing ballerina twirling around in a circle to Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie. I was amazed and lulled by the music; I was inspired at that moment. I told my grandfather that being a ballerina would be my dream. He was surprised and he said, “Yes, you will be a famous ballerina one day, my dear.”
Soon I grew and in the pursuit of my dreams of becoming a dancer, I took all the lessons and opportunities that I could grasp. I never let my dream slip out of my hands; I worked very hard and practiced every day. By the time I reached twenty, all my life I have worked hard to become a ballerina, soon my dreams were up to a higher goal, I wanted to go to New York and be in the School of Art and Dance. I went away from my sleepy town of Hudson, New Jersey to New York to pursue my career in the Arts. Then my talents were recognized and soon I made my way up to the top. Although I performed in many shows and was always busy, I never forgot my grandfather and the music box he gave me.
When I was in one of my busiest days in rehearsal, my mother called saying that my grandfather was gravely ill. It was a risk for me to take break during a busy schedule, but I had to leave and see my grandfather. Once again I came to my grandfather’s home, away from the streets of Hudson to the open forests near the river -just where my grandfather lived, just as I remembered as a child. When I came to see him, he still had strong spirits and was always smiling. I was still the little girl in his eyes. For about two weeks, I spent time with him. My grandfather wished to see me perform, the problem was that it would be hard for him travel just to see me.
Soon I had to go back to New York for the first, opening performance. A couple days past and I heard news that my grandfather wasn’t getting any better. I longed to come back and see him once more. However, one night in the middle of my performances, I was about to do my solo as a dancer, in the midst of all the soft murmurs of the crowd and the dancers behind me, the orchestra suddenly stop playing music.
My solo was supposed to be the height of the entire play, I was puzzled, and of course I knew that the show must go on. I was left standing in my fourth position when I heard a faint song, a familiar song; it was my music box that grandfather gave me. As for my grandfather he was in the center of the aisle, tuning the music box, and shouted "My darling, you have made your dream of becoming the prima ballerina, please dance to this song once more for me."
The moment was unexpected, the crowd was amazed, but I did as I was told I danced, bitter sweetly, dancing along Gymnopedie No. 1. I couldn't believe my grandfather was here watching me. The orchestra soon followed the song and played along as I danced throughout the stage. I danced for my grandfather that night; I danced as if I was the ballerina twirling in the music box upon the hands of my grandfather. I danced like I have never danced this way in my whole life before. I felt the music sway me across the room. I was lost in translation so overcome by mixed emotions of joy and sorrow that I could not explain. It was my utmost, extraordinary moment in my whole life.
That same night, after my grand performance, I met up with my grandfather and said, "You are best dancer, my ballerina, you have fulfilled my wish, and I can now sleep peacefully, dreaming of your performance forever." Back home, my grandfather was back on his bed two weeks prior from his visit. After all the shows, I soon came back home to visit him. My grandfather was in his room with his handsome smile as always, so proud of me, relieved, and restful. As I held his hand, he played the music box once last time. My grandfather slept peacefully to the tune that afternoon when I arrived from the airport. He and I will always remain here in his deep dreams and that when we meet once again we both will dance to that very same tune.
And to this very day my grandfather’s words echo within my mind each time I perform, I feel his presence and I just dance just the way I have danced that night to my music box just for my grandfather.
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