Sad Violin
A sad violin plays far off in the distance. It creates an eerie mournful sound reverberating off the water in the little creek nearby.
A boy and his dog traipse through the woods in search of bugs to keep as pets. The sound of the far-off violin causes the boy to stop and listen. He is hopeful the sound is a wolf's howl, he has never seen a wolf but the ears of his German Shepherd flatten as the sound continues its soulful melody.
Dusk is beginning to fall and he knows he'd better get home to Ma. She'll tan his hide if he's home after nightfall.
But his curiosity starts to get the better of him and he continues to follow the sound.
The sound gets louder. The trees begin to thin. A clearing appears. An old man is sitting on a log playing a violin to the coming night.
The boy stands transfixed at the man. The dog is wary and ready to pounce if there is a threat.
The music stops, as the man realizes he is no longer alone.
He turns and barks harshly, "whachtu doing there, boy?!?" The boy stammers an apology "I-I'm sorry. I don't know sir, I heard the music and wanted to see where it was coming from. B-b-but I guess I should be going now." The boy begins to back away nervously, stumbling over his own feet.
The man stands threateningly for a minute and then his shoulders droop, "Aw-shoot. You're just a kid. I guess you're alright."
Relieved, the boy smiles nervously, "what were you doing, mister?"
The man begins to tense up again but then seems to remember his earlier statement. "I was playing a love song"
Confused, the boy says "a love song? It didn't sound like a love song. It sounded sad."
The man's shoulders drop as he exhales. "That's because it is sad, don't mean it ain't love though"
He sits on the log quickly as if there is a heavy weight on his shoulders.
The boy asked "who is it about?"
The old man replies "my wife. She was called up to heaven a few years ago. This is the only place I still feel her presence. I come here every night at dusk to play our song."
