The Note Under the Door

Tomas was eleven. He was learning to play the trumpet, a thing you use to make music with your mouth. He did not play well.

One day, he found a note under the door. He thought someone was angry. But the note was from Mrs. Halloway. She lived in the home under his. She wanted to help. Her note told him to use more air.

Tomas tried this. Now he played better! More notes came from Mrs. Halloway. Tomas wrote back with questions.

After a month, his mother sent him to Mrs. Halloway with some cake. He saw her trumpet and an old photo of her playing it.

She played for forty years. Then her hands got tired. Tomas's music made her want to play again.

Tomas asked her to teach him. She opened the glass box around her trumpet. She asked him to give her time. She stopped playing twelve years ago. Her music could be bad too!