Short story: The unappreciated piano thumper
@innertalks (22431)
Australia
September 19, 2024 11:34pm CST
Every weekend, Rob Sinclair would sit at his piano, and play tunes on it for several hours, to help him to relax, from his weekly bout with his work.
This settled his nerves, and relaxed him, but little did he know that the rest of the family always dreaded this performance, which they equated to an elephant at the piano, thumping heavily on the notes.
They would often go out shopping, whenever Dad performed.
One day, he twigged that they were never home when he was playing, and he asked them,
"Don't you like my playing?
One after the other, they replied,
"Yes, Dad you are a great player,"
except for the youngest, who spoke what he thought,
"You play too loudly, and we all end up with headaches, and stress, from your playing."
The father said,
"oh",
and so nothing changed, as he wanted to play, and he thought, as he wanted to think, that most of his household were ok with it.
Events in our lives can change us, only if we change with them, from them occurring. Otherwise, nothing changes, as we must want to change to change too.
Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com
One man's cup of tea is another man's poison.
3 people like this
3 responses
@arunima25 (89417)
• Bangalore, India
20 Sep
I think that the household came to good compromise. They could go out and shop while he could relax with his piano. Some adjustments which are not harming anyone is the best way to co exist.
3 people like this
@innertalks (22431)
• Australia
20 Sep
I agree.
Compromise that works well for both sides is a good idea.
We shouldn't criticise others for doing what they do; we should try to come up with good workable compromises.
@arunima25 (89417)
• Bangalore, India
20 Sep
@innertalks Yes, that is the best way for a peaceful co existence. And we have to do all that we can do to accomodate our loved ones along with our happiness.
3 people like this
@innertalks (22431)
• Australia
20 Sep
@arunima25 Yes, we should not try to prevent our loved ones from being happy, or enjoying themselves, in pursuing what they like to do, if it does not harm anyone.
We should give some give, and take, to each other in a marriage too, l think.
@Shavkat (140363)
• Philippines
23 Sep
@innertalks In fact, I can feel certain changes in my life now. However, I am trying to modify the old ways to catch up with the changes in our world these days.
2 people like this
@innertalks (22431)
• Australia
23 Sep
@Shavkat Yes, we do need to keep up with modern changes, or we get left on the outer of life, not participating fully anymore.
That could be good, or bad, l suppose, but it is harder to live without embracing modern changes.
@innertalks (22431)
• Australia
20 Sep
Some things like old age almost force change upon you.
I would like to relax, as l am retired now, but my body has changed over time, and time has changed me, so some of my interests have changed too.
I cannot do what I used to do, either, and so l am forced to change my lifestyle to a less active one now.
@Shiva49 (26982)
• Singapore
20 Sep
This is a common issue within families.
We need to be team players in tune with the likes and dislikes of others.
Problems arise when TVs are switched on at odd times and loudly to make others uncomfortable and take evasive action.
Even music to our ears can be plain noise for others.
It can even raise blood pressure when they try to bottle their emotions!
In this case family members chose to vote with their feet!
2 people like this
@innertalks (22431)
• Australia
21 Sep
When I had my father-in-law staying with me at our house, it was a bit hard, although I tried to make allowances for him, but as he was a bit deaf, to have the television always loud, did cause me some angst, and I often moved further away from it to sit myself, rather than being right in its blare.
@innertalks (22431)
• Australia
21 Sep
@Shiva49 Yes, thinking of the other person is a caring, and compassionate, thing to do, as long as we can recognise, when the other person has gone too far, and is taking advantage of us.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26982)
• Singapore
21 Sep
@innertalks He was not a pain in the neck on purpose unlike a few who are tone-deaf to others' feelings and comfort.
Being considerate is a basis for coexistence.
"Give and take" is a much-touted axiom but a few think it means for them to take and others to give!
1 person likes this
