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Atsuko Sato...
The Paper Piano
Photo: From an original by Ulrike Groesal
Printable version
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Her name's Sumire, she is six years old. She has felt an irresistible yeaning to get a piano since she saw her friend Sakura playing the piano in her house. And then Sumire threw a tantrum at her mother every day to get a piano. But it was impossible, because it’s a fatherless family and they live in poverty.
One morning, when she woke up, she found a long piece of paper on which was drawn a keyboard. It had been made by her mother during the night. There were some her mother’s stains here and there on the paper. Although Sumire is still very young, she understands her home situation. And at the same time she understood her mother's affection. Since then, she stands everyday in front of the paper piano, as soon as she gets home from her primary school. She practices the piano very hard but of course, it can't ever produce a sound. The piano never makes a sound, but she gradually masters the skill.
One day, Sumire goes and has some fun at Sakura's house. At first they play with dolls, then they play at being housewives. Sumire plays the part of a mother, and Sakura plays the part of a child. Sumire is cooking with toy tools, and says to Sakura, "Practice the piano." Sakura plays the piano very well as usual. Sumire thinks afresh that Sakura is a good pianist and Sumire envies Sakura because she has a real piano. Sumire says daringly to Sakura, "May I play the piano, too ?". Sakura says, "Sure."
Sumire starts to play the piano. The tune is 'Fur Elise' which Sakura
is good at playing. Sumire plays so well
that Sakura is amazed. And Sakura wonders, "Why, why,
why? Sumire doesn't have a piano, but how can she play?"
Sakura is astonished because Sumire obviously plays better than Sakura.
While, although Sumire is playing the real piano for the first time,
she can play perfectly. So she is surprised at herself. Sakura asks
Sumire as soon as she finishes playing, "You don't
have a piano, do you? How come you can play it?" Sumire
instantly answers, "As a matter of fact, I have a rich aunt
who has a piano, and she said to me that I could play her piano at any
time."
Of course it's a downright lie.
Sakura says, "That's good for you, because you're
very interested in playing the piano, aren't you? Sometimes
you may play at my house, too." Sumire says,
"Really?" Her heart leaps with joy, and
she thinks
to herself, "Sakura is so kind." But also she
thinks
"I'm such a liar." Sumire regrets having
told a lie. But it can't be helped now.
In any case, Sumire is so happy, because she had a feeling of satisfaction of knowing she could play perfectly, and Sakura said to her that she could sometimes play Sakura's piano. Then Sumire comes home with a look of joy on her face, and she tells her mother everything that happened . Her mother Yukiko, is of course delighted to hear her daughter's story. However she feels pity for Sumire, because she can't afford to buy a piano. And she swears solemnly that she will work hard to buy a piano as soon as possible. But Sumire is simply very glad without knowing her mother's thoughts.
Sumire is still seven years old. It's the age when children become spoilt. But Yukiko works so hard that she hardly spends time with Sumire. Sumire's most favorite thing is to get her mother to read a book to her when she goes to sleep. The book that she likes best is 'Daddy-Long-Legs.' And she also dreams that her daddy like him will appear. Of course, because she wants a real piano, and she wants to learn how to play the piano.
If that happens, he will help her and she will get a real piano and she will be able to learn how to play it. But it's only a frail dream, and the days that she sits at her paper piano, are continuing. However, she is putting her heart into the piano without a break. One day when she plays the piano in the music room at her school, a music teacher comes along and the teacher pauses involuntarily and listens attentively to her play. "Amazing!" she mutters to herself.
The teacher opens her eyes
wide, and thinks that she
doesn't have enough technique yet, but she has obvious
ability. Sumire is playing without noticing her.
Before long she finishes, and then the teacher approaches Sumire,
clapping her hands, and talks to her. "It was marvelous,
I'm a music teacher in this school, I teach the fifth and
sixth grades, my name is Rose, nice to meet you." Sumire
replies, "Nice to meet you, I'm Sumire.
I'm in the second grade."
Rose asks
Sumire, "How long have you been learning the
piano?" Sumire answers "I have no experience of
studying it." Rose is really surprised. And Rose says to
Sumire, "I really think you have the knack, so if you study
playing the piano, your genius will definitely flower" Sumire
says with a sad look, "Thank you, I'm glad, but I don't have my
father, he passed away, so my mother can't afford to pay for
me to study." Rose bites her lip and turns things over in her
mind. She wonders if she can do something to help Sumire, and she hits
on an idea.
Rose suggests that Sumire joins her brass band. Rose says, "As
a matter of fact, they are only fifth or sixth grade, but I think you
can follow them." Sumire is simply delighted, because she can
have lots of chances to play the piano. And she answers immediately.
"Yes, I would like to join, if I can." Rose smiles
and says, "That's good, are you coming on Saturday
afternoon?" Sumire asks, "Yes, where should I go Rose?"
"Come to the second music room at one
o'clock. I'll introduce you to them Sumire." Thank you so much Rose,
I'm really looking forward
to meeting them."
Then Sumire comes home, and she savours her happiness, although it's difficult to imagine that she is going to play in the brass band. And in the night, she dreams about playing the piano in a big orchestra.
The Saturday, Sumire has been looking forward to, has finally come. Her heart is filled with expectation as she walks toward the music room. There are many upper-class students. In an instant, her face freezes, because of the pressure, but the next moment one of the students talks to her, "You are Sumire, aren't you? We've been waiting for you with anticipation, don't be afraid, everyone is very lind." Sumire breaks into a smile and says, "How do you do? I'm Sumire. I'm pleased meet you." And then everyone introduces themselves. Sumire thinks that it will be difficult to remember their names, but she is so delighted.
After a while, Rose comes along, and she is happy, because she finds Sumire is there in a friendly atmosphere. Rose says "Sumire is so young and she doesn't have enough experience yet, but I believe that she will be able to catch up with everyone soon, so don't worry." And they all nod. Then Rose starts to rehearse them, and she thinks that Sumire's playing is incredible, because she is fitting in very well, so her anxiety also vanishes. Sumire is really happy now, because she knows that the harmony is splendid, for the first time. And everyone also appreciates the beautiful sounds that Sumire plays.
After the rehearsal, everyone praises Sumire in chorus, and she smiles bashfully . Rose asks how she felt, and she answers, "At first I was so strained but, I gradually became comfortable with everyone." Rose says, "You have a big talent,just as I expected. So, have confidence and do your best! I'll help you as much as I can." Sumire says, "Thank you so much, I won't wastes this chance."
One of the senior students approaches Sumire and talks to her. "I was very glad that I played with you, because your feeling is excellent, I used to playing the piano, however I hurt my finger, when I was playing volley-ball, so I had to give up playing the piano, and now I play percussion. Of course, nowadays I like very much. But I really envy you playing the piano, because you are bubbling over with talent. I'm sure you'll do your best and take good care of your fingers." Sumire is close to tears, saying, "Thank you very much." To her, because Sumire could guess what she must feel like.
Rose says to Sumire, "The school gate opens at 7 in the morning, so you may use the piano, if you like." Sumire answers, "Really I'm so glad I can play it everyday, can't I ?" She comes home, jumping for joy. And then her hard training starts. She arrives at school at dead-on 7 o'clock everyday, no matter what, and she practices the piano for two and half hours, until the school begins. And she makes rapid progress. Yes, she was possessed by a music god. She searches for the best way to play everyday.
One day, Rose says to Sumire" There will be my class presentation in July, everyone will play a solo piano, so would you like to play. Too ?" Sumire answers, "Sure. I'm so glad, what kind of music can I play ?" Rose says "How about 'The Maiden's Prayer'? "Sumire says with a smile, "It's my most favorite one at the moment. I'll try as hard as I can." Rose nods, smiles kindly and says, "I shall lend you a CD that it is on, I'm sure you will learn a great deal from the CD."
Sumire listens to the CD that Rose lent her, again and again everyday. And in the next day's lesson. Rose was sorry for having lent it to her, because her playing was just like the CD and her character disappeared completely. And then Rose says to Sumire, "Your technique is perfect, but your playing is just a copy. For music, the most important thing is your own originality. So stop listening to it for a while and look for yourself and your own feeling." Sumire was shocked, but she could understand, so she composes herself together and say, "I'll try it again."
Sumire buries her head in her hands and mutters to herself " What should I do ?" After a while she hits upon a good idea. She'll try to sit in front of the paper piano, again. She can hear the sound of the paper piano in her head and her mind opens and expands and her originality shines through. Sumire is engulfed by her mother's love and feels so happy. So she decides to keep her mind as open as when she began, and to do best.
Her name is Sumire, she is six years old. She has felt an irresistible yeaning to have a piano since she saw her friend Sakura playing the piano in her house. After that, Sumire threw a tantrum at her mother every day to get a piano. But it was impossible, because hers is a fatherless family and they live in poverty.
One morning, when she woke up, she found a long piece of paper on which was drawn a keyboard. It had been made by her mother during the night. There were some her mother’s tear stains here and there on the paper. Although Sumire is still very young, she understands her home situation and at the same time she understands her mother's affection. Since then, she stands everyday in front of the paper piano, as soon as she gets home from her primary school. She practises the piano very hard but of course, it can’t ever produce a sound. The piano never makes a sound, but she gradually masters the skill.
One day, Sumire goes and has some fun at Sakura's house. At first they play with dolls, then they play at being housewives. Sumire plays the part of a mother, and Sakura plays the part of a child. Sumire is cooking with toy utensils, and says to Sakura, "Practise the piano." Sakura plays the piano very well as usual. Sumire thinks afresh that Sakura is a good pianist and Sumire envies her because she has a real piano. Sumire says daringly, "May I play the piano, too ?". Her friend says, "Sure."
Sumire starts to play the piano. The tune is 'Fur Elise' which Sakura
is good at playing. She plays so well
that Sakura is amazed. And Sakura wonders, "Why, why,
why? Sumire doesn't have a piano, but how can she play?"
She is astonished because Sumire obviously plays better than her,
and although Sumire is playing the real piano for the first time,
she can play perfectly. So she is surprised at herself. Sakura asks
Sumire as soon as she finishes playing, "You don't
have a piano, do you? How come you can play it?" Sumire
instantly answers, "As a matter of fact, I have a rich aunt
who has a piano, and she said to me that I could play her piano at any
time."
Of course it is a downright lie.
Sakura says, "That's good for you, because you're
very interested in playing the piano, aren't you? Sometimes
you may play at my house, too." Sumire says,
"Really?" Her heart leaps with joy, and
she thinks
to herself, "Sakura is so kind." But also she
thinks
"I'm such a liar." Sumire regrets having
told a lie. But it can't be helped now.
In any case, Sumire is so happy, because she had a feeling of satisfaction of knowing she could play perfectly, and Sakura said to her that she could sometimes play her piano. Then Sumire comes home with a look of joy on her face, and she tells her mother everything that happened . Her mother, Yukiko, is of course delighted to hear her daughter's story. However she feels pity for Sumire, because she can't afford to buy a piano. And she swears solemnly that she will work hard to buy a piano as soon as possible. But Sumire is simply very glad without knowing her mother's thoughts.
Sumire is still seven years old. It's the age when children become spoilt. But Yukiko works so hard that she hardly spends time with Sumire. Sumire's most favorite thing is to get her mother to read a book to her when she goes to sleep. The book that she likes best is 'Daddy-Long-Legs'. And she also dreams that her daddy, like him, will appear. Of course, because she wants a real piano, and she wants to learn how to play the piano.
If that happens, he will help her and she will get a real piano and she
will be able to learn how to play it. But it's only a fragile
dream, and the days that she sits at her paper piano, are continuing.
However, she is putting her heart into the piano without a break. One
day when she plays the piano in the music room at her school, a music
teacher comes along and the teacher pauses involuntarily and listens
attentively to her playing. "Amazing!" she mutters to
herself.
The teacher opens her eyes wide, and thinks that she
doesn't have enough technique yet, but she has obvious
ability. Sumire is playing without noticing her.
Before long she finishes, and then the teacher approaches Sumire,
clapping her hands, and talks to her. "It was marvelous,
I'm a music teacher in this school, I teach the fifth and
sixth grades, my name is Rose, nice to meet you." Sumire
replies, "Nice to meet you, I'm Sumire.
I'm in the second grade."
Rose asks
Sumire, "How long have you been learning the
piano?" Sumire answers "I have no experience of
studying it." Rose is really surprised. And Rose says to
Sumire, "I really think you have the knack, so if you study
playing the piano, your genius will definitely flower" Sumire
says with a sad look, "Thank you, I'm glad, but I don't have my
father, he passed away, so my mother can't afford to pay for
me to study." Rose bites her lip and turns things over in her
mind. She wonders if she can do something to help Sumire, and she hits
on an idea.
Rose suggests that Sumire joins her brass band. Rose says, "As
a matter of fact, they are fifth and sixth graders, but I think you
can follow them." Sumire is simply delighted, because she can
have lots of chances to play the piano. And she answers immediately.
"Yes, I would like to join, if I can." Rose smiles
and says, "That's good, are you coming on Saturday
afternoon?" Sumire asks, "Yes, where should I go Rose?"
"Come to the second music room at one
o'clock. I'll introduce you to them Sumire." Thank you so much Rose,
I'm really looking forward
to meeting them."
Then Sumire comes home, and she savours her happiness, although it's difficult to imagine that she is going to play in the brass band. And in the night, she dreams about playing the piano in a big orchestra.
The Saturday, Sumire has been looking forward to, has finally come. Her heart is filled with expectation as she walks toward the music room. There are many upper-class students. In an instant, her face freezes, because of the pressure, but the next moment one of the students talks to her, "You are Sumire, aren't you? We've been waiting for you with anticipation, don't be afraid, everyone is very lind." Sumire breaks into a smile and says, "How do you do? I'm Sumire. I'm pleased meet you." And then everyone introduces themselves. Sumire thinks that it will be difficult to remember their names, but she is so delighted.
After a while, Rose comes along, and she is happy, because she finds Sumire is there in a friendly atmosphere. Rose says "Sumire is so young and she doesn't have enough experience yet, but I believe that she will be able to catch up with everyone soon, so don't worry." And they all nod. Then Rose starts to rehearse them, and she thinks that Sumire's playing is incredible, because she is fitting in very well, so her anxiety also vanishes. Sumire is really happy now, because she knows that the harmony is splendid, for the first time. And everyone also appreciates the beautiful sounds that Sumire plays.
After the rehearsal, everyone praises Sumire in chorus, and she smiles bashfully . Rose asks how she felt, and she answers, "At first I was so strained but, I gradually became comfortable with everyone." Rose says, "You have a big talent,just as I expected. So, have confidence and do your best! I'll help you as much as I can." Sumire says, "Thank you so much, I won't wastes this chance."
One of the senior students approaches Sumire and talks to her. "I was very glad that I played with you, because your feeling is excellent, I used to playing the piano, however I hurt my finger, when I was playing volley-ball, so I had to give up playing the piano, and now I play percussion. Of course, nowadays I like very much. But I really envy you playing the piano, because you are bubbling over with talent. I'm sure you'll do your best and take good care of your fingers." Sumire is close to tears, saying, "Thank you very much." To her, because Sumire could guess what she must feel like.
Rose says to Sumire, "The school gate opens at seven in the morning, so you may use the piano, if you like." Sumire answers, "Really I'm so glad I can play it everyday, can't I ?" She comes home, jumping for joy. And then her hard training starts. She arrives at school at dead-on seven o'clock everyday, no matter what, and she practises the piano for two and half hours, until the school begins. And she makes rapid progress. Yes, she was possessed by a music god. She searches for the best way to play everyday.
One day, Rose says to Sumire, "There will be my class presentation in July, everyone will play a solo piano, so would you like to play. Too ?" Sumire answers, "Sure. I'm so glad, what kind of music can I play ?" Rose says, "How about 'The Maiden's Prayer'?" Sumire says with a smile, "It's my most favorite one , at the moment. I'll try as hard as I can." Rose nods, smiles kindly and says, "I shall lend you a CD that it is on, I'm sure you will learn a great deal from the CD."
Sumire listens to the CD that Rose lent her, again and again everyday. And in the next day's lesson. Rose was sorry for having lent it to her, because her playing was just like the CD and her character disappeared completely. And then Rose says to Sumire, "Your technique is perfect, but your playing is just a copy. For music, the most important thing is your own originality. So stop listening to it for a while and look for yourself and your own feeling." Sumire is shocked, but she can understand, so she composes herself together and says, "I'll try it again."
Sumire buries her head in her hands and mutters to herself " What should I do?" After a while she hits upon a good idea. She'll try to sit in front of the paper piano, again. She can hear the sound of the paper piano in her head and her mind opens and expands and her originality shines through. She is engulfed by her mother's love and feels so happy, so she decides to keep her mind as open as when she first began, and to do her best.