The sound of music

“ Как  часто, видя, мы  бываем  слепы,
как  часто  мы   не замечаем  окружающего   
нас   мира,  а   видим  лишь  его несовершенство. 
Так  может  необходимо родиться   несовершенным, 
чтобы  душой  почувствовать  его  удивительную гармонию !” 

- из  дневника.


It was the third day of my vocation in Sochi. And right from the start it went wrong. Firstly I got cold and secondly the weather turned bad. Actually the summer was hot and sunny, but as soon as I stepped out of the train the rain began.

I was walking along the beach thinking of how poor and unlucky I was. My mood spoiled by cloudy sky and cold morning. Although the sea was smooth it looked dark and I had no even a wish to come to the water. I was starting to think that it would be better to come back to the hotel and spend the rest of the day reading any book when suddenly I heard a sound of beautiful music coming somewhere from behind of the cape.

The tune was quite so I was standing motionless and breathless listening to it. It was music of flute, sounding softly and easily. I’d never heard that in the past. I also could not see any master who was playing such a wonderful melody. Anyway I wanted to discover who it was. 

I passed the stony cape, trying to move noiselessly. And then I saw something that really surprised me. Actually it was someone. A young girl was sitting in front of me and plying that magic flute. She was rather a child then teenager, but loveable and attractive, with long a bit curled blond hair and almost brown from the sunburn skin. Probably she didn’t notice me because she went on playing. Her eyes were closed and I saw she enjoyed the music.

At first I could not understand what was wrong, but sure there was something. And just then I realised, she was sitting in a wheelchair. I felt a sudden wave of regret for her. At that moment a girl stopped playing.
“Is there anyone here?” She asked quietly, but without opening her eyes.
I was even more surprised. Before I could say anything, she stretched out her hand and said:
“Well. . . I know it’s a bit strange, but I can’t see you.” Then  she smiled shyly.
It was horrible. That girl was blind. I could not find any words to tell, just tried to keep my voice calm saying:
“Hello. I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I’ve just heard a music and wanted to know who could play it.”
I took her hand in mine.
“Did you like it?” A girl smiled wildly.
“Yes it sounded great.”

It seemed to me, she was pleased. I held her small hand by both of mine and knew it was the way she communicated with people. I thought that nature was probably ruthless bringing such a beautiful child into this world without any chance to live as a normal person. Finally I asked her:               
“What did you play? It wasn’t familiar to me.”
She laughed:
“I don’t know. Nothing.”
It surprised me again, but I kept silence.
“It was just something I felt at that moment.”
A girl turned her face in the direction of the sea.
It still was dark and looked cold. A few seagulls flew upon the water peeping sharply. Grey clouds covered all the sky and it seemed endless. I would have been really amazed if there was something soft and bright.
“Listen to that.” A girl took her hand away, stretching it into the air in front of her as if she held something invisible in it. Her face looked tender and she smiled a bit strange by inscrutable smile.
“D’you feel it?” She asked me.

To tell the truth, I didn’t feel anything so I didn’t answer her, but I closed my eyes trying to catch something by ears. At that moment I’ve heard a steady noise of the sea and a cry of the birds, the gentle rustle of the trees and I felt a touch of a fresh breeze blowing from the sea. It was totally different world from that one I’d just seen a few moments ago. Somewhere deeply inside I was so happy I couldn’t express it by any words.

A girl began to play the flute, and it was just more than wonderful. I was standing quietly with my eyes closed and listening to that magical sound of music, thinking that probably people had to be blind sometimes, to realise how great the feelings were. . .


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1994г.