Passion

 Chapter Seven – Into the Forest The next day at school, I could no longer keep the secret. The dream still burned inside me, and the whispers had not stopped echoing in my mind. At last, when we were alone under the cashew tree, I turned to Annie. “Annie,” I whispered, clutching my bag tightly. “I need to tell you something… something strange.” I pulled out the blue, golden-swirled book. Annie’s eyes widened. “Where did you get this?” “In the library,” I replied. “It’s called The Echoes of the Singing Flute. Annie… I read it, and when I played the notes inside, I heard voices. That night, I dreamed of the stream — glowing like silver — and the forest beyond it.” Annie’s face paled. “Lyra, that sounds scary. Are you sure it was just a dream?” I shook my head. “It felt too real. And the voices keep calling me to the stream.” That afternoon, instead of going home, we walked together toward the stream on the edge of the village. The closer we got, the heavier our steps became. When we...

 Chapter Six – The Hidden Book. A week after the competition, I slipped into the school library during lunch break. The library was quiet, carrying that faint smell of old paper and polished wood. I wandered through the shelves, letting my fingers trail over the spines of books I had seen a hundred times before. But then… something strange caught my eye. Down at the lowest corner of the last shelf, behind a pile of dusty history textbooks, I noticed a thin leather-bound book. Its cover was deep blue, with golden swirls that shimmered faintly under the light. My heart skipped as I brushed away the dust, and the letters on the cover seemed to glow: “The Echoes of the Singing Flute.” I froze. Those same words had often danced in my mind whenever I played. With trembling hands, I opened it. The pages were filled with drawings of flutes, strange symbols, and stories about musicians who could heal wounds, calm storms, or even give people courage — all through the power of sound. The deep...

 Chapter Five – The Song of My Flute The school courtyard was full of noise and color that morning. Drums pounded, dancers spun in bright wrappers, and singers shouted with all their strength. Parents, teachers, and students filled the seats, clapping and cheering for their favorites. I stood behind the stage, holding my flute so tight my palms were sweaty. My heart was beating so loud I was sure everyone could hear it. Annie touched my arm gently. “You’ve practiced for this, Lyra,” she whispered. “Remember — the flute will speak for you.” When the announcer called my name, my legs felt weak. I stepped out, and the crowd began to whisper. “The flute girl? She really joined?” “She’ll embarrass herself.” The words stabbed me, but I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I lifted the flute to my lips and blew the first note. It came out soft, like the sigh of the morning breeze. Then it grew, smooth and steady, flowing like a small river. Slowly, the noise of the crowd faded. The cour...

 Chapter Four – The School Competition The notice was pinned on the board in front of the principal’s office. I can still see the words in my mind: “Cultural Day Celebration – Music & Talent Competition. All students are invited to participate.” The whole school buzzed with excitement. Drummers were already tapping out rhythms on desks. Some girls began practicing dance steps in the corridor. Singers were humming their favorite songs, their voices rising above the chatter. Everywhere I turned, there was laughter, energy, and noise. Annie’s eyes lit up the moment she read the notice. She grabbed my arm so tightly I almost dropped my bag. “This is it! You have to perform, Lyra.” I froze. My throat went dry. “Perform? In front of the whole school? Annie, you know they laugh at me already. What if I make a mistake?” She folded her arms, her face serious. “And what if you don’t? What if your music makes them listen? Don’t you see — this is your chance.” Her words scared me and thril...

 Chapter Three – Whispers in the Classroom Every day at school, I carried my flute in a cloth bag Uncle Sam made for me. He had sewn it with strong thread, neat stitches, and a little pocket where I could keep a piece of cloth for cleaning. It wasn’t fancy, but to me it was priceless. I guarded that bag more than all my notebooks. Sometimes I even placed it on my desk, keeping my hand on it, as though I was protecting something alive. At first, no one paid attention. But the moment my classmates noticed the bag, the whispers started. “Look at her,” one boy sneered from the back. “She thinks she’s a real musician.” Another laughed. “Maybe she’ll play her flute during exams and expect the answers to dance onto her paper.” The class broke into muffled giggles. Their laughter filled the room like stinging smoke. My cheeks grew hot. I gripped the bag tighter, wishing I could hide inside my desk. I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but my eyes burned anyway. Each laugh felt like a stone thrown...

 Chapter Two – A Secret Path to Music The following Monday, I dressed early, prayed shortly, ate breakfast, and went to wait for Annie at our usual spot. I could not go to her house because of her parents. I waited more than thirty minutes, singing softly to pass the time, until Annie finally arrived. “What took you so long?” I asked. “Lyra, I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly. “I woke up late, and Mom delayed breakfast.” “It’s fine,” I smiled. “Let’s go.” As we walked, I told her about my failed attempt with my mother. Annie listened quietly, then suggested, “What if you start saving your lunch money? Since you usually eat breakfast before school, you won’t starve. With time, you can buy your own flute.” Her idea struck me like light. “That’s true! Annie, you’re such a good friend.” That day, I also planned to speak with our music teacher, Uncle Sam. He was skilled in playing flutes and many other instruments. When break time came, Annie followed me to his office. “Uncle Sam,” I sai...

  This story is about a young girl lyra whom The power of the flute is in the palm of her hand. Chapter One – The Melody of Desire “Music was everything to me. Every beat, every note, every melody I imagined called to me, and nothing else seemed to matter.” “My fingers itched to hold a flute. I—Lyra—couldn’t imagine life without music.” My parents did not love the idea of me chasing music, but I carried an endless desire to learn and play. I had a close friend named Annie. She was more than a friend—almost like a sister. We lived opposite each other, went to the same school, shared the same class, and walked home together every day. Annie loved writing. Sometimes, I envied her, but I never saw a reason to stop loving music. Annie’s parents, however, did not like me. They were angered whenever they saw Annie with me, thinking my passion for music would distract her from her own dream of becoming a writer. Still, my focus was clear. I loved music—watching musical movies, reading book...

  Beauty Within the Storm Episode 1: The Enigmatic Ties of Love and Betrayal South Africa, a land celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also home to some of the most captivating women in the world. Among them was Amahle, a rising actress whose beauty and talent shone like a beacon. Born in the quaint village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, she carried with her the strength and spirit of her roots. One afternoon, as she was running errands, Amahle realized her deodorant was running low. She decided to visit her usual cosmetics supermarket in Qunu to buy a new one. Upon arriving at the supermarket, she accidentally stepped on the foot of a handsome gentleman due to the crowded entrance. Shocked, she looked up at his charming face and quickly said, "I'm sorry." As she gazed at him, she thought to herself, What a cute man. Without saying anything else, she continued into the store. The handsome man, however, couldn’t walk away. He found Amahle...