Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Magpie Tale-1 2 3, do re mi...

1 2 3,
do re mi,
1 2 3,
do re mi,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7,
do re mi fa sol la Si,
...

Ms. Linda's voice keeps echoing in my ears. She was my 2nd grade music teacher in elementary school and had the sweetest voice any female could dream about.

"1 2 3 4 5 6 7 , do re mi fa sol la si are pelicula sound of music, it is the tools to build a song.Once you have these basic elements in head, you can compose or sing thousands of millions of different tunes by mixing them up by random..."

Ms. Linda continued, she wanted to make sure that her students knew how music works.
And her efforts did pay off. The whole class loved singing during music time except me. I only opened my mouth and did not let my voice out.

At first Ms. Linda focused her eyes on me.

I continued failing to sing.

Then, Ms. Linda paused with a smile:" Someone did not sing along, please stop the silence."

I still remained silence, this time, not even opening my mouth.

Now, Ms. Linda walked toward me after the class finished a full round.

"Joyee, you always have such natural smiles on your face when you walk into the class. I love seeing you in class and feel like smiling when I see you. I am sure
your voice is beautiful and adds credit to the class as a whole."

My face turned red. I could not sing because the other day, when I tried to model a famous singer on TV, my best friend Lan told me that my voice was among the worst, I should never try to sing anything at all. I always trusted my friend and her words.
I agreed that I am never a singer and decided to stop singing at all.

Of course, I could not tell my reason in front of my classmates.

And I failed to sing along the whole class period.

Ms. Linda spoke to me in person in her office later that day. She forgave me after listening to my explanations.

"Joyee, you voice is very different from others, but this does not mean you are not a singer, you sing for fun, you sing for pleasure...most importantly, I believe that
you could become a folk song singer."

I remembered her words until today. I have never become a famous singer or a singer with specialization on folk music, but it does not matter. For more than thirty years, I hear Ms. Linda's encouraging words and never hesitate singing any song for fun. And I love music and enjoy attending concerts all my life.

Two years ago, Ms. Linda committed suicide.

She has developed her career very successfully and has become the principle of the school after 20 years of excellence in teaching. but, as a female, she has faced doubts, questions, and personal attacks.

According to rumor: The major reason for her suicide is that her husband has filed a divorce case against her due to his assumption that she has had an love affair with the school superintendent, a powerful male who used to be a language art teacher in the same elementary school.

And they are close colleagues for more than a dozen years.

I don't care what has led Ms. Linda's death. I value her for her encouragement and care for her students. I never have kept in touch with her personally, but her words sing in my head for my life time.

I bought a statue with a girl singing proudly and it reminds me of Ms. Linda.

I wrote this poem for my lovely music teacher Ms. Linda,
May peace and love be with her.

I heard you singing when the dawn was near,
With silver dews eagerly waits for the sun to appear.
You sing all day through,
With the sun drinking up the dew.
You continue to sing during evening hours,
Your voice lulls both animals and flowers.
Your song sounds like sweet and yummy ice creams,
I trust that your singing echos lovers' dreams.
Satisfied, when all the obstacles are cleared,
All of a sudden, the spell of your song has disappeared.
All alone,
Without your lovely song,
I am ready for everything that lies ahead,
I move forward, no fears or dread.

By Joyee on June 8th, 2010/Tuesday.

*****

This is a post for Magpie Tale hosted by Willow at:
http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2010/06/mag-17.html

I hope that you enjoy my take on this prompt.

I write this tale based on some facts of my experience with my 2nd grade music teacher and of course, this is a fiction.

I Value Your Input and
Wishing You All A Very Enjoyable Tuesday Ahead!

45 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

What a story and a lovely tribute to your teacher, I thought the poem excellent.

Enjoy your day.
Yvonne.

Tabor said...

I keep forgetting that this is a fiction challenge since you write to well.

Suburban Girl said...

My goodness that is a good story, you do lose yourself when reading it.

♥ Kathy said...

I'm so glad that wasn't a true story..I was so sad at the end! I loved the poem :)

Are you posting the same stuff on WP and Blogger? I couldn't get your WP blog to load this morning so I came here instead..

Unknown said...

I am glad that was just fiction. You write beautifully, Jingle. Loved the way you started off.
Smiles...:)

Kathe W. said...

this illustrates how important our actions can be-nice Magpie

natalee said...

What a great story.... i could've sworn it was not fiction till the very end....

Cielo Azul Jewelry said...

Interesting story Jingle. It reminds me of choir class=0) I really enjoyed reading this!

xoxo,
Carol

TALON said...

I really enjoyed this, Jingle. What a beautiful blend of fact and fiction.

Reader Wil said...

This is the greatest tribute written to a teacher who managed to create a love of music in her students. Very beautiful Jingle!

DrSoosie said...

Teachers can touch our souls, hearts and minds like no other person. Their legacy lives on (even after they are gone from our lives) in our minds. They have molded and added something to the building blocks of who we are. You may not be a "traditional" singer but your voice is beautiful nonetheless. You are a poet and I bet if you put some of your poetry to music you could be considered a son-writer too! So here is to your lovely teacher and the indelible mark she made in your life.

Helena said...

A wonderful tale that was. I have teachers still in my memories yet. All those years ago but I can still picture their faces as clear as this day!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jingle, great writing. I did like that story. Pretty nice poem too. Great job.
QMM

Heff said...

What a weird story.

Unknown said...

Well done. A great story and your poem was a lovely tribute.

Nice memories of your childhood and a teacher who cared.

Caty said...

Wow...what a great story. I would have guessed it true, such amazing writing. It just shows that even optimistic, joyful people suffer doubts,fears, and sadness at times. too bad the outcome for such a great lady in this story! Nice piece, Jingle.

Anonymous said...

A very nice tribute. Love it :)

Sam Liu said...

Once again, I believed every wonderful word until you said, right at the end, "this is a fiction"...this surely is the mark of a great story, one which has be brilliantly written. I loved the poem too, as always, your words are powerful and infinitely beautiful.

Ronda Laveen said...

Your teacher would be happy to know that you still remember her so fondly. Lovely Magpie, Jingle.

Bernie said...

Gosh Jingle I thought this story and poem were true....they are both very good. I am glad you had such an encouraging teacher in grade 2......:-) Hugs

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

This teacher does exist, she was young and beautiful when she taught me. She showed so much passion in me, her words are very touching and they give me lovely memories.

I said it is a fiction because I twisted the ending so that she is gone with the prompt gaining a role in this story.

In reality, I don't know her condition now...I am 41, thus she is about 65 years old.

Maude Lynn said...

Excellent tale!

william manson said...

heheh thought I was reading double LOL xxx

Unknown said...

It is always a pleasure visiting your blog.

Paul C said...

You explore well the emotional power that a teacher can leave within a student as a legacy.

The Urban Cowboy said...

A most excellent adventure through your words.

Tess Kincaid said...

Lovely tribute to your teacher.

Stephanie said...

Teachers are such a powerful force in our young lives...and now in the young loves of our chilren.

You spin a fabulous tale!

Ed Pilolla said...

i bought that as real until the end. what a terrific job you did. i might add, as far as development of voices go, our writing voices grow, as you know. the written word is just not thought of us a voice by youngsters, becuz youngsters aren't taught that writing can bring out a distinctive voice.

magiceye said...

so wonderfully told!

Vicki Lane said...

Nice magpie!

Tumblewords: said...

How lovely this story is - it feels real. A wonderful read!

gayle said...

I thought this was excellent!!

Bossy Betty said...

Oh my. I was totally into this.

Anonymous said...

Very moving. It is amazing how teachers can have such an influence on us. I am sure your teacher would be very proud of your work.

Shirley Landis VanScoyk said...

Nice!

Hootin Anni said...

There are so many sides to this post Joyee. I love it all tho. Even the sadness of suicide. I worked with psychiatrists for many years, I always had in the back of my mind, that when a person, for any reason they deem proper in their own minds, they WILL by their own will. I don't think anything has to do with insanity as so many dr.s think. Your post touched my heart. Deeply. And the statue or bust of the girl singing is just phenomenal!!

island of peace said...

a very touching story.

buffalodick said...

We all have our successes and failures- it is because we are human.

Kimberly said...

That was sad! I love the statue! I am glad that you still see her as she really was.

Together We Save said...

Wonderful story... glad it was fiction.

~T~ said...

I'm reminded of the chorus teacher at my high school. When I auditioned for the musical play, he told me I should take singing lessons. I was flattered -- until I didn't get a part in the play!
I like Ms. Linda's sincerity.

Stafford Ray said...

Very naughty to kill her off! And I don't believe she is not still out there encouraging people! Your story was too good for fiction.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

thanks a lot for the encouraging words.

JamieDedes said...

What an imagination, Ji! What a story . . . must have been a fine teacher to fire your imagination so . . . and isn't it the writer's gift to be compelled to ask "what if" ... and there-in find a story.