The other day, I got a note from Egirl’s piano teacher. She said Egirl had been tearful in a couple of lessons, and had complained that her hands hurt when she was asked to play new pieces. She said Egirl didn’t seem to like her new book, so she was going to change it for something easier. I read the note, took a deep breath, and told Egirl I needed to have a chat with her.

Me: Do you still like having piano lessons?

Egirl: Yes mama.

Me: Okay then, read your teacher’s note.

She reads through slowly.

Me: Why were you crying during lessons?

Egirl: I found it difficult to get it right, I kept trying and trying. And my hands were hurting.

Me: That’s what life is all about, you try till you get it right, it is not a race, there’s no one chasing you, it is not a cause for tears.

Egirl in a somber tone: Okay mama.

Me: And why were your hands hurting?

Egirl: Sometimes when I play before going in for my piano lessons, my hands start to hurt.

Me: You must not engage in any form of playing that will affect your fingers before your piano lesson. You hear me? And you should do your finger exercises to strengthen your fingers so they don’t hurt. Okay?

Egirl: Okay mama.

Me: It’s okay if you don’t want to do piano anymore, it’s just as well we haven’t bought you a proper piano yet, we’ll put away the keyboard till Etoddler can use it. Just let me know.

Egirl loudly: No mama!

Me: Well, you can’t go to school and be crying at your lessons. You hear me? And as for having an easier book, forget it. You are a clever girl, and are more than able to master new things, you have the ability to, and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I am going to tell your teacher not to change your book. You must keep practising till you get it right. You go to school to learn new things, that is what it is all about, you hear me?

Egirl: I hear you mama.

Me: Oya come for a hug, and go and do some piano practice.

We hug, and shortly after I hear her tinkling away at the keyboard.

The next day, I see her piano teacher at school. I tell her Egirl is to continue with the book she doesn’t like, as she is capable of doing it. She tells me Egirl reads music perfectly, but doesn’t like moving her hands away from the middle C key. I tell her I have told Egirl to take her time, and practice till she gets it right. Egirl emerges from her ballet lesson shortly after. I tell her I have seen her piano teacher,and her book will stay the same. She grins at me. I grin back.

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