Noon and the Long Drum

The community fair was coming soon. Noon watched older children practice long drums at the temple courtyard. She wanted to march with them, though she had never held a drum.

The music teacher gave Noon a small drum. She played too hard and too fast, making her sound burst through everyone else's rhythm. Noon blushed and put down her sticks.

The teacher asked her to listen to the marchers' feet. “A parade does not need the loudest drum. It needs a drum that walks together.” Noon tapped her hands softly with the steps.

Each evening, Noon practiced a little. One, two, one, two—then she played. When a friend missed a beat, Noon stopped and began counting again together.

On fair day, Noon marched in the middle of the long-drum parade. Her drum matched the footsteps and her friends' music. People clapped, and Noon smiled. She was not the loudest, but she was part of the song.

Careful practice and listening help us find our own rhythm.