THE MUSIC MAKER A Fable and a Tune By Soha F. Turfler Copyright 2012. Soha F. Turfler Smashwords Edition. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Anna was excited to join Mother at Market that day. Usually one of the servants of her family's not-so-modest estate at the top of the hill would do the shopping, and little Anna would stay at home with Nanny while Mother and Father were off doing whatever mothers and fathers do. But this day was different. This day, they were buying ribbons and cloth for the annual Winter Festival. As long as anyone could remember, each year the City Elders chose one from among the more prestigious families to host the Winter Festival, and this year, they had chosen Anna's. And, as Mother had come to the conclusion that, for this particularly special occasion, none of Anna's outfits "would do," she had decided that she would take the child to the Market at the Centre of the City herself, in order to purchase materials which Nanny would then fashion into an elaborate dress. And so, Anna got to go in order to make sure the color and texture of the cloth matched the color and texture of her hazel eyes, "just so." Whatever the reason, Anna was excited to spend the day with her mother, away from home. And in the City Centre, too! Nanny had woken Anna earlier than usual that morning, to get ready for the outing. She scrubbed Anna’s face and behind her ears, brushed and neatly pinned her unruly brown hair, and then dressed her in a clean-cut mauve suit with little black-beaded buttons. Afterwards, Anna looked in the mirror and agreed with Nanny that she looked, "very smart." Mother came in to the nursery just before nine o'clock and only "hmm'd" and "hah'd" at Anna's appearance before declaring that they were likely to be late getting back, and so Nanny should instruct Cook to have lunch waiting upon their return. Nanny respectfully said, "yes, My Lady," and handed Anna a small pack containing an apple, a slice of bread, and a small hunk of cheese, in case she should get hungry. Mother and Anna waited in the large foyer of the house until they were fetched by Mister Jeremy, one of the estate's chauffeurs and longest serving employees. Anna had always liked Mister Jeremy. Even though he was always careful to appear clean shaven and neatly dressed in his black uniform, he also had great big bushy eyebrows that he allowed to grow wild and untamed. His eyes were also the same color as the eyes of the old gray pony that grazed in the West field. Anna liked Mister Jeremy like she liked that old pony. It would always eat the apples Nanny gave to her when Anna wasn't feeling hungry and wasn't in the mood for being scolded for not being so. Plus, Mister Jeremy would let her play in the old carriage house when he tinkered on one of the estate's vehicles, and would patiently listen to and cheerfully laugh at the many stories of fairies, gold, and misadventure she would spin, while the while. But Mister Jeremy was not laughing today. Today, he was all business and formality, as he listened dutifully to Mother's instructions to drive very carefully, but also be sure to arrive at the City Centre within half an hour. Mister Jeremy did his best to comply, but in the end, incurred Mother’s anger when she saw they had actually arrived at 9:45. Anna was sorry to see Mister Jeremy scolded so. But Mister Jeremy made sure to send a sly wink Anna's way at the end of Mother's reprimand, when Mother wasn't looking, which made Anna feel better. For she knew then, he was still happy on the inside. Mister Jeremy escorted Mother and Anna to the second floor of Cymball's Department Store, on the corner of Oak and Maple Streets. There, Mother spent the next three hours being shown exotic reams of cloth and ribbons by a flustered salesperson. Mother eventually settled on a spool of dark green velvet with elaborate golden threaded needlework on one side, as this “brought out the green” in Anna’s eyes. She also chose golden ribbons to match, and even bought Anna a sweet little pendant to wear round her neck. Anna was delighted. * There was a huge, excited crowd gathered outside of Cymball's when Anna, Mother, and Mister Jeremy finally exited. Comprised primarily of teenaged girls and their parents, the crowd shifted in a frenzied fashion around one, young, handsome, blond gentleman, who wore a flashy, modern suit and carried a diamond encrusted cane. "Justin! We love you!" the crowd chanted—at least, those in the crowd that were still capable of speech. "What is going on?" Mother asked, when she saw the commotion. But then Mother spotted him—the young gentleman upon which the crowd's attention was centered. "Wait, is that Justin Steelrose?" Mother asked, although it seemed unlikely she expected either Anna or Mister Jeremy to respond, "The famous singer? Yes, I think it is! I can't believe it! What luck! I'll invite him to perform at the estate for the Winter Festival. And just think about what the ladies at the club will say then! Here, Jeremy, take Anna. I'm going to go get Justin!" And with that, Mother dove head-first into the swimming crowd and stroked straight towards the aforementioned popular performer. Mister Jeremy and Anna were left standing on the sidewalk, trying their best to maneuver around the onslaught of additional avid fans who rushed to join the crowd. Anna was experiencing some difficulty avoiding all the over-enthused onlookers, and so Mister Jeremy soon took her into his arms and held her aloft as they made their way further down the sidewalk. Mister Jeremy placed Anna upon the ground again a short distance away, where they could both find calmer footing. The crowd was surging off the sidewalk now, and even traffic had come to a halt. It was then that Anna spotted something unusual on the other side of the street. There, sitting on a doorstop across from Cymball's, sat a frail, hungry-looking old man. He had a simple wooden box propped up on a small pedestal between his skinny legs. The old man was cranking a small lever connected to one side of the box with a look of wearied determination. No one else seemed to notice the old man. Indeed, people on that side of the street seemed to almost unconsciously avoid him. "Mister Jeremy," Anna asked, "do you know who that man is over there, with the wooden box in front of him?" Without looking, Mister Jeremy said, "That’s the Music Maker, child." Anna could not hear any sounds coming from the wooden box—all she could hear was the cacophony for Justin further down the street. So she did not quite understand Mister Jeremy's response, and told him so. "Can't you hear him?" Mister Jeremy responded, "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised if you can't—not everyone can. And, of course, with that racket, I doubt anyone could." Anna begged Mister Jeremy to take her across the street, to hear the Music Maker. Mister Jeremy initially protested, and expressed doubts as to whether she would be able to hear the music, anyway, even if they did cross the street. But then, after taking a second look at the child, and at the hopeful glint in her eyes, he conceded, saying ,"Well, maybe you will." Mother was nowhere to be seen, having apparently become fully melded within the crowd. And so, after a few moments, Mister Jeremy carried Anna across the street and set her down next to the Music Maker, who was still cranking his wooden box. "Can you hear the music, Anna?" Mister Jeremy asked, after a while. Anna shook her head, no, even though she was standing right next to the old man. "Close your ears, child," Mister Jeremy said, "And listen with your heart." Anna did not know how to close her ears. But she did know how to close her eyes, and as she did so, she wished with all her heart that she could hear the song. At first, it was only a slight tinkle; a solitary chime between the riot and ruckus of popular opinion across the street. But soon it became a simple melody, as the voice of the masses faded. And as her heart and mind opened further, the song transformed into a beautiful symphony. A multitude of instruments came together in perfect harmony, playing a song still simple, and yet so profound. The melody spoke to Anna of long days gone, before she even existed. It spoke of heartbreak and of love. And before much longer, Anna's whole being resonated with its sound. Anna looked up at Mister Jeremy, with tears in her eyes. Mister Jeremy handed her a handkerchief, smiling, "I am so glad you could hear this song." "Anna!" Mother called, having finally detached herself from the crowd, "Anna! Anna! Where are you?" "Oh, we better go to the Missus," Mister Jeremy said. He waved over at Mother. Mother caught sight of them then, and stormed across the street. "Jeremy," Mother said, when she had arrived, "What were you thinking taking my child over here without my permission? I was scared senseless!" Mister Jeremy started to apologize, but Anna interrupted: "Don't be angry, Mother," she said, "I begged Mister Jeremy to bring me here to hear the music. Isn't it beautiful?" Mother, however, apparently could hear neither song, nor her child, as she continued to scold Mister Jeremy in a very angry and accusatorial tone, without interruption. Anna sighed. She turned to the Music Maker, wanting to listen to the music again and drown out Mother’s yelling. But the Music Maker had stopped cranking and was staring lopsidedly at Anna. "Please don't stop, Mister," Anna said, "I would love to hear more." The Music Maker coughed and considered the little girl. And after a moment, he drew out a small wooden box from a bag at his side. It was delicately carved and inlaid with gold filigree. It also had a small gold lever on one side, with a handle made out of freshwater pearls. "Here you are, my dear," the Music Maker said, offering her the music box, "One to take home with you. And it matches that pretty little pendant you're wearing." Anna accepted the music box and held it against her chest. "But I have no money to pay you," she said. "That's perfectly fine, my dear," the Music Maker said, "I'll tell you a little secret. I put a little piece of my heart in each one of these boxes, because I wanted to share my heart with others. And so all I ask is that you try to love this little piece of my heart, because it was out of love that I made it. And because it is out of love that I am now giving it to you." "Oh, thank you, Mister Music Maker," Anna whispered, with sweet sincerity, "I will." Mother's one-sided confrontation with Mister Jeremy had apparently reached its peak, and then abruptly ended. She sent Mister Jeremy to bring round their transport. Mother grabbed Anna's hand and said, "Come on, Anna. We're going." "Wait just a moment, Mother," Anna said. Anna took out the package of food Nanny had given her earlier that day and offered it to the Music Maker. "Mister, will you please accept this as a gift from me, for your beautiful music?" Anna said. The Music Maker smiled, and said, "Now that is too big a present. After all, you need to eat, too. I won't accept the whole meal, but maybe I will accept that delicious looking apple you have there, if you would like to share it." Anna was happy to share her apple. And, with the conclusion of this exchange of gifts, Mother dragged Anna off in the direction she had sent Mister Jeremy, and before long, they were on their way out of the Market. Anna tried to get Mother to listen to the music box on the ride home. Mother insisted that the box must have been broken, as she did not hear the music, and felt it was foolish of Anna to offer that “dirty homeless man” something to eat, because then “He would never learn.” Anna sighed and put the music box carefully away in her little package. She was hungry then, and so ate the slice of bread and cheese on the way home. * There was an awful commotion at the estate upon their return to the estate, as Mother informed Father of Justin's upcoming performance at the Winter Festival, and of "what Jeremy had done." That evening, Anna put the small music box on the side table next to her bed. She cranked the little golden lever on the music box , and listened to its melody. This time, the song spoke to her like this: My little babe in the wood All alone, with naught to do Come and listen to the wind Greet the stars, and breathe in We’ll take you by the hand And fly away to Fairy Land Sing sweetly, together true See the world in colors new Then safely return you home Until it’s time again to roam Anna listened to the music box until she fell asleep, and even heard its melody thereafter in her dreams. Nanny did not protest Anna listening to the box in bed—she could not hear the box's music, and saw no harm letting the child play with the simple, seemingly silent toy. In the morning, Nanny told Anna that Mister Jeremy had "unfortunately been let go" and had left during the previous night to go and live with his granddaughter in a neighboring City. Anna spent the rest of the morning crying in bed, and refused to eat anything for the the day, despite Nanny's desperate appeals. Nanny tried to explain to Anna that Mister Jeremy was very old and was thinking of retiring anyway, and would be very welcomed at his granddaughter's home. But Anna was inconsolable. Later that evening, Anna again listened to the music box for comfort. Every time she played the box, its song seemed to be somehow different, and yet, somehow still the same. Once again, the music box lulled her to sleep. The next few weeks before the Winter Festival passed by with a bother and a flurry. Mother and Father were more than usually occupied with preparations of one sort or another. And Nanny was oftentimes preoccupied with fashioning Anna's green velvet dress for the party, and so Anna was frequently asked to go and play in the yard alone. Anna would invariably head to the West field to visit the old gray pony. The tired and retired animal often seemed like her only friend. Anna would play her special music box for the pony and feed him an apple. Anna thought that the sheen she could see in the pony's big, glassy eyes meant that the pony appreciated the music. And anyway, she of course knew that the pony also appreciated the apples. * On the day of the Winter Festival, Anna was meant to have a full bath and eat dinner early before anyone arrived. The festivities were to commence at 6 o'clock sharp in the evening, and Mother was adamant that Anna should not be so hungry as to "eat like a horse" at the party. The first guests to arrive were the Mayor and his Wife, at 6:05. They were followed by a long procession of dignitaries and other such high-minded (or at least highly-expensive) individuals. Anna and her family greeted each guest in the foyer before they were escorted and announced in the Great Hall. Anna soon got tired of curtsying and began to fidget. This did not put Mother in a good mood. Eventually, a murmur made its way through the party in the Great Hall and spilled into the foyer that “Justin” had arrived. A significant portion of the partygoers gathered at the entrance to the Great Hall, but nonetheless were careful to ensure that they did so in a very casual and disinterested manner, so as to not seem overeager. Nevertheless, all seemed to wait upon the aforementioned singer's arrival. And when he did appear, it was with such pomp and circumstance that those dignitaries concerned about "someone noticing their having noticed" needn't have bothered being concerned at all. All eyes were on Justin, and on Justin alone. All, except, of course, for Anna's. She kept her eyes on her little music box, which she had happened to conceal within a fold of her elaborate velvet dress. Justin was graciously welcomed by Mother and Father. And then Mother and Father personally escorted this very important guest into the Great Hall. And, through a hushed command, Mother instructed Anna to follow, as well. Justin was shown around and introduced to all. He sipped upon the estate's finest fruity beverages and tasted the estate's best gourmet dine. And when sufficient time had been spent in this manner of doing nothing, Justin made his way to the front of the Hall, where arrangements had already been made for him to perform. And all the guests sat down in plushy pedestals placed in rows, in order to watch the show. Justin's performance was indeed a wonder to behold. He sang excitedly for almost half an hour, and was at all times accompanied by some sort of ostrich-feathered dancing girl, or twirling sword-swallowers, or other such entertainers. Towards the end of Justin's last set, there was a fireworks show, which was elaborate enough to put the household plants on fire. And after all had been extinguished and any burnt furnishings silently removed by the servants, a very sweaty Justin was re-escorted to his seat for a short rest before he was to depart for another engagement. Anna saw her chance, and began to position herself in the front of the room. "Darling," Mother said, when she noted Anna’s movement, "what are you doing? Come away from there and let the guests get back to dinner." "But Mother," Anna said, "I have a song that I would like to share with our guests." She held aloft the small wooden box. "But darling," Mother responded, "I believe it's time for you to go to bed. And anyway, our guests are not interested in listening to your broken music box." "It isn't broken," Anna responded. But she needn't have bothered arguing. For soon, a more convincing advocate—the Mayor’s Wife—raised her voice to speak on Anna’s behalf: "Let the child share with us," she said, "We would be happy to hear her. And, after all, it is in keeping with the Spirit of the Festival." With such an attestation, Mother was forced to relent. Anna stood at the front of the Hall and all eyes were focused upon her. She took ahold of the little golden lever on the side of the box and started turning it with sweet determination. After a few moments of what seemed to be silence, some of the members of the audience stifled chortles and jeers. Mother felt thoroughly humiliated. She strode to the front of the Hall and grabbed Anna by the arm. "Thank you, darling," Mother said, "for entertaining us all with your little joke this evening. But really, I think that it is quite enough, and it is time for you to go to bed." "But Mother," Anna protested, "It isn't a joke! Can't you hear the music?" "There is no music!" Mother said, in a not so hushed whisper, "That box is just a worthless piece of junk. And you're embarrassing me in front of my guests." Anna started crying, "No, Mother! This music box is not junk. It holds the heart of the Music Maker. And it even holds a piece of my heart now, too, because I love it. And that makes it the most precious thing in the whole world!" "That's enough! I will not have you disobey me in front of my friends!" Mother yelled, yanking Anna away from the front of the room. "Stop!" came a cry from the audience. Mother swung herself and Anna round to see that the cry had come from the Mayor's Wife, who was herself in tears. "Stop," the Mayor's wife said again, "Please let the child be. Why won't you listen to her? Can't you hear the music?" Mother seemed shocked, and shook her head in disagreement, but with more than a little amount of hesitation. "Doesn't anybody else hear the beautiful music coming from this child? Listen carefully, everybody. Listen very carefully." Anna wiped away her tears and slowly began to turn the box's lever again. People in the crowd looked dumbfounded. But after a while, one or two nodded their heads in agreement, that yes, they had heard the box's melody, as well. And, considering the Mayor's Wife's social standing, it wasn't long before the whole room was in agreement. They all declared that the song was among the most beautiful they had ever heard. Mother seemed as if she did not know what to do. She relinquished her grip on Anna and stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, watching as all the guests were discussing the beautiful music. But soon enough she had regained enough composure to force a laugh and claim that, for her part, she had been joking all along. Of course, she had heard the music too, but just wanted to put on a little show to show how special the music box really was. Soon everyone at the party wanted to know where Anna had obtained the pretty little music box. Anna explained about her encounter with the Music Maker. "Oh, you mean that old man who sits on a doorstep, across from Cymball's day after day?" the Mayor said, "He's been sitting there for years, ever since I was, myself, a little child. Sad thing is, though, just last week one of our constables found him dead on that doorstep. Probably from the cold, I imagine. Too bad he died before he could experience this new found popularity of his chimes." The crowd murmured in sympathy. Even Justin declared it "a real shame." Anna was devastated. She turned to leave from the Great Hall. But before she could depart, the Mayor's Wife walked over and took Anna's hand. "My dear," the Mayor's Wife said, "Don't be so downhearted. After all, what did the Music Maker say to you?" "He said, that he put a little piece of his heart into each box, and that I should try and love the box, since it was because of love, that he made it." "Well, then," the Mayor's Wife continued, "If a part of the Music Maker's heart still lives inside that box, then how can he ever really die?" Anna thought about this a moment. And then she smiled. "Yes, Misses Mayor!" Anna exclaimed, "You're right! He will never die, as long as his music, and our love, is still alive!" The Mayor's Wife gave Anna a great big hug. And then she patted her on the head and then said that if Anna felt tired, then she should go and rest. Anna said that there was just one thing she needed to do before she satisfied the Mayor’s Wife’s request. "And what is that, dear?" the Mayor's Wife said. "I need to go and apologize to Mother." And, true to her word, Anna went over and hugged and kissed Mother, and then went and put herself to bed. * The next morning Anna woke to find a letter and a small package from Mister Jeremy placed neatly on her side table, next to her music box. The letter from Mister Jeremy said, “So sorry I did not get to say goodbye to you before I left, my dear Anna. But I wanted to let you know that I am doing fine and am very happy. I’ll come and visit soon. Until then, I’m sending you the music box the Music Maker gave me when I was a child. I hope you will love it, just as I did. And I hope that when you listen to it, you’ll know that I love you, too.” Anna laughed and immediately played the new music box. Its tune reminded Anna of horses and carriage housees, of orchards and summertime. Anna felt very happy, and was excited at the prospect of seeing her friend Mister Jeremy again. After Nanny dressed her, Anna ran to the West field to play the new music box for the old gray pony. And this time, she brought as many apples as her arms could carry, too. And as all were then happy, this means this tale is through. # If you enjoyed this short story, please be sure to check out my full-length novel, “By Death’s Feather,” available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/179753