The lyre

My family is big on musical talent. My father gets hired by the king to play piano at his balls and celebrations while my mother plays the harp with my dad. They have started to get my brother and sister to learn instruments like the organ and the harpsichord. They tried hard to get me to learn how to play regal instruments like the cello but I could never pick it up as well as my parents and siblings. Because of my lack of musical talent my family shunned me and I was never treated as an equal. We had enough money to afford a maid but my parents still made me help out because "It's good to have the skills." They just don't think I'm going to be as successful as the rest of family. One day we were walking in the marketplace and we passed by a small band. One of the people were playing a small stringed instrument and immediately I felt drawn to it. I tugged my fathers tunic "Father what is that stringed instrument the man over there is playing?" My father looked down at me then looked to where I was pointing and gave the man a look of disdain. "That's the lyre, a peasants instrument if you ask me." My family continued to walk but I strayed behind them. When they were far enough ahead of me I turned back and made my way to the men playing at the center of the marketplace. They had a hat placed in front of them and it had some coins in it. I threw a few in and they smiled at me before all of them stopped playing. "Hey kiddo I saw you looking at my lyre earlier. Do you know how to play?" I shook my head no. "Well here try it out and see if you are any good" I smiled and grabbed the lyre out of his hand and strummed a chord. It sounded brilliant and I loved every moment of the sound. The man who gave me the lyre gave me his music sheet and I looked at the notes and played it exactly as it was supposed to be played. Of course that's when my parents showed up. "Get away from that peasant Thomas. We are going home." My mother grabbed the lyre and gave it to the marketplace man and pulled me away. I may never be able to play the lyre until I don't live with my family but I now know I have a musical talent and maybe my family will accept me now.