Joel's New Voice

Page 3

The pitter-patter of rain came before the morning storm. Joel had lumbered out of bed and sat down at his desk, but found himself not in any mood to write. That's strange, he thought. So he waited until after lunch to begin. After lunch, Joel was surprised that he still wasn't in the mood to write. So Joel waited some more and thought some more:

     Maybe after dinner this weird mood of mine will go away. Sure enough, it didn't.

Days passed, and Joel hadn't written a single word. He couldn’t even hold a tune in his head for more than ten seconds—it worried Joel a lot. When Saturday came around, Joel hopped on the train without his parents and hoped for a miracle. After a long, quiet ride, Joel returned home completely defeated with his knapsack dragging behind him. Mr. Secof noticed his son's behaviour and tried encouraging him:

     “All great songwriters need time to recharge their creative engines son. Mum and dad are always proud of you.”

So the next few days, Joel spent time with his friends and did anything but write. His smile returned and his parents were glad.

Summer had passed.

Music no longer filled the Secof household. Joel hadn’t written a word since taking time off, and he was too sad to continue. One chilly autumn evening, Joel had wandered to Lookout Point. Being there, Joel finally understood why he wasn't able to write anymore.

     I was never meant to sing these songs or make music, he thought looking up at the melancholy of night. Please give these to someone who can.

Fighting back tears, Joel unlatched the flap of his knapsack and instantly, the cold air snatched away the sheets of music as if it had granted Joel's request. They whirled and swished and spun like ghosts on a merry-go-round before vanishing over the iron fence. Good-bye sweet music was his only thought.

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