Black Sheep

Rise

Plink!

A small hand reaches out, a thin finger delicately touches the key.

Plink . . .plank . . . plunk . . .

With more force, curiously, she presses more keys.

Plink . . .plank . . .plunk . . .

Knowingly, she repeats the same pattern. From afar, sits a hunched figure in despair. Two separate beings in the same room; a small child and an aged 65-year old woman, a grandmother.

Plink . . .plank . . .plunk . . .

From her defeated position, she finally raised her head and sighed.

Plink . . . plank . . . plunk . . .

Her grandmother's eyes shine, and she looks over at the child beside the piano. In tiptoes, she could barely reach the keys but she formed a simple rhythm.

Plink . . .plank . . .plunk . . .

As if it was for the first time her eyes had laid eyes on the child, she peers at her with interest. Her eyes travel up from the child's bare feet, pale gaunt legs, to her Alice blue dress with dirty frills at the rims. The tiny child's face still holds dry tear stains and red claw marks starting to heal. Her gray eyes remain puffy but her face is alight with innocence and wonder at the piano which revealed simple sounds.

"Beautiful", the little child had mouthed, almost inaudible.

Her grandmother had caught on to the words.

More sounds came out.

Making her final decision, in a swift motion she got up and cautiously neared the child, making sure not to frighten her. She crouched slowly, her croaky tender voice reached the child's ear.

"Would you like to learn?"

The child was surprised at the closeness and soft affectionate voice that was directed at her. Her eyes widened and jumped, suddenly she felt shy. Her eyes never leaving the piano, she nodded. And if her grandmother hadn't gotten the message, she nodded again more vigorously.

But her grandmother saw it the first time and smiled.

There was something about the child, something special. In her gray eyes, she could see some sort of light, in her small fragile figure she could see a powerful aura of . . . something she couldn't quite point out. Already at the age of four, the girl seemed quite tuned in and surprisingly strong.

After all she had been through. . .

No, she didn't want to remind herself.

"Monster! . . .Hideous . . .get her . . .get her away . . .from me . . .don't you see! . . .she . . .she's a . . .devil's spawn!"

No, that was enough. Back to the present situation, she regained her straight stature and nudged her aside.

"I'll show you, Tilly. The possibilities that Schimmel offers".

She sat on the small bench. Stretching her arms out, stretching her fingers out horizontally she positioned herself, Just like back then, and began. Her fingers weigh down on the appropriate keys.

And . . .start . . .

Chopin's Ballade.No.1 Op.23

Swimming, dancing, how her fingers moved. She felt revived. like wings had grown and the only thing that mattered was them. Immersed was the only word that could be found to express her grandmother's emotion right then.

In that vast room, in that creaking barren house where ancient lamps, chairs, tables, and books stood as a proof of life. In that scenery, the heavy tone and speed of the music flew and echoed.

Echoing in the little child's heart, pounding in amazement she trembled at the influence of the music.

"Lilith"

The child gasped, it was the first time such a doting voice rang with her name.

Yes, her name was Lilith.

" . . .yes, Granny . . . ?"

'Granny' smiled. A genuine smile that made her eyes twinkle and made her shine, from that rare smile many could have seen Granny in her younger days, when she used to dance with the music, an angel who only truly could liberate herself and unfurl her radiant wings in that piano. Granny's smile was beautiful. If only Lilith could see it. No, she could feel it. That graceful persona that seeped out and melted her heart.

Granny continued, "This is the sound that comes from the soul and our hearts. Hear it. Close your eyes and heart it. Feel it."

Lilith settled her hand on her chest, her heart squeezing in return.

Feel it.

Grandmother's words fell out like dew drops in the morning, exquisitely fair and natural, slow and poetic. "Lilith, this imperfect world is unjust. Lilith, this world is terribly dishonest and twists, turning around our lives and fates. I want you to know, that we not only live in this world but are part of it and become the world. We are twisted and dishonest; so Lilith, listen carefully and feel it yourself. Because there's beauty as well. Hidden but persistently, and f vivid. So promise me, Lilith, that even though imperfect you will become the genuine Truth."

It took a moment for Lilith to respond. Awed at the wiseness she heard.

"Yes."

"Then, Lilith; my little Tilly this is now your prelude."

Plink . . .plank . . .plunk . . .

She gulped and nodded again. And so as her dear Granny's advice ended, the ballade initiated, the constant tapping of the cumbersome rain falling as the background.

A prelude.