The Day Mary Sings

Mary is a shy first grade student. She often lose voice when she has to speak in front of the class. Many friends make fun of Mary's difficulty, especially Billy the King of Dodge Ball. Everything is easy for Billy because he is smart and he is blib. That is what Mary's mother calls people who is clever with words and talks a lot. Mary doesn't talk. She whispers. The whispers make Mrs. Barry shakes her head and clucks her tongue.

The problem now is not about what Mrs. Barry does when Mary whispers. And also not about Billy's name-calling. It is about what many parents and other people will say if Mary whispers on stage at Christmas Festival. You see, one week before the event, all students of Mrs. Barry were assigned to perform a short musical piece. Each took a number that would put them either in the choir or to sing solo. Mary's bad luck gave her a solo number. Again, Mrs. Barry shook her head and clucked her tongue. Mary was horrified, but she was determined to do the task. She was determined to overcome her fear.

The day of the festival comes. People gather in the auditorium before the performance starts. Then the bells rings, which indicates that the opening performance will begin very shortly. The audience place their attention to the stage. Mary steps forward, feeling nervous. Her hearts beat fast and loud. The intro melody played by the pianist flows beautifully. Only a few bars left before her part, Mary braces herself. Four beats left, Mary lifts her chin. Three, two, Mary takes a deep breath. One, she opens her mouth and a pure, clear voice singing "Over the Rainbow" fills the entire hall. Billy, who is currently slurping his lemonade, stops and listens. Mrs. Barry's hand is covering her open mouth, stunned. Mary's mother just smiles and lifts her thumb at her daughter.

..............
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?