The Note That Stayed in the Wood
Chapter 1Four Little Voices
The wind chime had four metal tubes and a wooden striker.
Three tubes rang when the breeze stirred them. The fourth made a small, dull tap.
"That one has lost its voice," Shmuel said.
His cousin Baruch tapped the quiet tube with a fingernail.
Tap.
The chime was meant to hang beside Zeidy's garden bench. Shmuel had polished its wooden top, and Baruch had painted a tiny green leaf on each tube.
Zeidy had helped with the drill and hung it from a low hook under the porch roof.
Now Shmuel stared at the largest tube.
"We need a new one."
The hardware shop closed in half an hour.
Chapter 2A Beautiful Tube
Baruch examined his green leaf.
"It was ringing on the table."
"That was before we hung it."
"Perhaps the paint ruined it."
Shmuel frowned. He had wanted plain tubes. Baruch had wanted leaves.
It would be very convenient if the leaves were the trouble.
He rubbed a thumb over the largest leaf. The paint was dry and thin. The three ringing tubes had leaves too.
"We could scrape this one," he said.
Baruch stepped closer to the chime.
"Could we try something that doesn't spoil it first?"
Shmuel looked toward the street. If they kept discussing leaves, the shop would close.
Chapter 3On Its Own
Zeidy came out carrying his gardening gloves.
"We need another tube," Shmuel told him. "This one only taps."
Zeidy listened while Baruch nudged the striker.
Three notes rang. One tapped.
"Show me what happens when that tube hangs on its own," Zeidy said.
He lifted the chime from its low hook and set the wooden top on the porch table. Shmuel held the large tube by its cord, clear of the tabletop.
Baruch tapped it gently with the wooden striker.
A deep note floated across the porch.
Baruch grinned.
"The leaf didn't eat the sound."
Shmuel listened until the note faded.
They did not need a new tube. At least, not for the reason he had given.
Chapter 4Back in Its Place
Zeidy replaced the chime on the hook.
Baruch tapped the same tube.
Tap.
Shmuel pushed the smaller tubes aside to see it better. The largest tube hung close to the wooden top. Its cord was twisted around a short wooden peg beneath the frame.
The twist pulled its upper edge firmly against the wood.
"It isn't hanging freely," Baruch said.
Shmuel reached to tug the tube down.
"Wait," Zeidy said. "Pulling on it could tighten that twist."
He took the chime down again.
On the table, they could see where the cord had looped around the peg while they carried it outside.
Shmuel had held it by the tubes so that the leaves would not bump the doorway.
Chapter 5A Smaller Repair
Zeidy loosened the cord from the peg.
The largest tube dropped a little and swung clear of the frame.
"Shall we hang it?" Baruch asked.
"Try it here first," Shmuel said.
He held the wooden top while Baruch moved the striker. The large tube rang. The smaller ones answered.
They hung the chime again, carrying it by the wooden top this time.
The breeze moved the striker past three tubes but missed the largest.
Shmuel's smile disappeared.
"It still isn't working."
Baruch waited for the next puff of wind.
The deep note joined the others.
"It doesn't hit every tube every time," he said.
Chapter 6The Shop Can Close
Shmuel checked the space between the large tube and the wood. There was a clear gap. The cord hung straight.
Zeidy sat on the bench.
"Are we still going to the shop?"
Shmuel shook his head.
"We would have bought a good tube to replace another good tube."
"And scraped my best leaf," Baruch added.
"I wanted the leaves to be the problem," Shmuel admitted. "I was wrong about that."
Baruch touched the little painted leaf with one finger.
"Next time, ask before scraping."
"I will."
Chapter 7Beside the Bench
The cousins sat on the porch step.
A breeze stirred the chime. The largest tube gave its low note last.
Shmuel watched it swing freely.
"A fine concert," Zeidy said.
"Nobody has to buy a ticket," Baruch answered.
