Born on a Song
by Melanie Hemry
Nine-year-old David Ellis turned off the television as Batman ended. In the distance, he could hear the familiar strains of “Oh Happy Day” coming from the Chickering upright piano in the dining room. The whole family played piano, so it could be anyone. Peeking around the corner, David realized that it was his younger sister, Tami, playing. Ugh!
David loved that song, but he couldn’t play it. It was bad enough that both of his older brothers, Benny and Leo, could play it. Now, even the baby of the family had mastered it!
David ran outside and hopped on his Honda Trail 70 dirt bike. The sea breeze ruffled his hair as he rode through the woods behind their house in Jacksonville, Fla. Meeting his friends, they raced across the sand dunes.
Later that day, back home, David followed his father into the dining room.
“Dad, will you help me play ‘Oh Happy Day’?”
“Sure,” his dad, Leon Ellis, said, sliding onto the piano bench.
“Let me show you the intro first.”
They worked together for an hour. David just couldn’t get it.
That evening, he heard someone else playing the song. It was his older brother Benny. Maybe I can watch over his shoulder and memorize how he moves his fingers, David thought. David tiptoed into the dining room. Benny caught sight of him and stopped playing. Like most brothers, they loved provoking one another. Laughing, Benny refused to play.
David lay in bed that night pondering his frustration. He was the worst pianist in the whole family. He didn’t have a gift. No talent. He’d just have to live with it.
BVOV : 19
