Music to One’s Ears

In a book called “The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” the author recalls attending a concert performed by an elementary school band.

The youngsters took their places on the bandstand, adjusted their music stands, and tuned up their instruments. Then, with a touch of drama, the music teacher raised her baton. I sat back and, for some strange reason, expected to hear a beautiful symphony. To my surprise, I heard a horrid cacophony of squeaks, honks, upbeat notes on the downbeat, and a march that sounded more like a nursery rhyme. “This is terrible,” I thought as I shriveled inside.

And then I heard a gentle voice speak within me: “These are children; they are learning and are doing very well.” The voice, of course, spoke the truth. I was judging at first according to my expectations, not accepting that they were all performing according to their ability. And, at that moment, the music became so lovely to me that I sat back and enjoyed…