At some point in our journey, Marcia started to sing. She had a small voice, but it traveled through the trees, just like a leaf on the wind. Then Jonah joined in. His voice was loud and striking, just like the beating of a bird's wings. Their song resounded throughout the forest. The trees seemed to sway with their music, and the birds chirped merrily in the distance. None of the kids in the village could sing this well. They were always too loud, and it hurt my ears. However, these two left me with a smile.
“By day we sing,
and night we fight
here within the forest.
The song we sing
a joyful tune
Ladada dada da.
When night arise
protect your life,
danger's in
the forest.
Adventurers past
they come to life
returning to
the forest
They guard
the night
to people's
fright,
stay safe,
beware
the forest.”
Marcia stopped singing and turned to me. “Hey Gruffy, why don't you join us? Don't you know this song?” I shook my head 'no.' None of the other children would let me play with them, so I never got the chance to learn any games or songs.
“Well,” Jonah rested his elbow on my head, leaning on me. “I guess it can't be helped. I'll just have to teach you.”
Jonah taught me the words to the song, which I had no problems with, but every time I sang, my voice cracked. No matter what I did, I couldn't sing like Jonah or Marcia.
“Man Gruff, you're a terrible singer,” Jonah said, rubbing salt in my wounds. Even if I weren't a witch boy, I still wouldn't be able to play with the other kids, all because I'm a horrible singer.
“Don't be mean,” Marcia whacked him on the back.
Jonah's lips twisted into a devious smile. He opened up his pack and started looking through it. “Here it is,” he held up a small wooden block with holes. Then he shoved it into my face.
“What am I supposed to do with that?”
Jonah held the block up to his mouth, and he blew. It made a musical sound. “It's a harmonica,” Jonah explained. “You can play music on it. I'm not good at it. You can have it.” Jonah stuck the harmonica out at me once more.
I held it gently in my hands. “For me?” I rested the harmonica in between my lips and blew lightly. Music echoed, and the forest awoke. The leaves danced on the wind, and the trees swayed back and forth. Birds sang out, repeating the notes carefully.
Do you want me to teach you a song?” Marcia asked.
“No fair, I was going to teach him.”
I quickly picked up on playing the harmonica as the three of us walked deeper into the woods. Marcia and Jonah sang along to the tune. My heart raced, and my hands trembled with each note I played.
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