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MidReal Story
Finding My Voice: A Bob Dylan Melody
Scenario:Sarah Hanson,a Japanese American teen girl,who has a stutter finds solace in the music of Bob Dylan
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Sarah Hanson
aspiring musician,friends with Jamie and mentored by Mr. Thompson,short with curly black hair,introverted yet passionate
Jamie Lee
supportive best friend,friends with Sarah,tall and athletic build,outgoing and protective
Mr. Thompson
music teacher and mentor,guides Sarah in her musical journey,middleaged with greying hair,wise and patient
I was in Mr. Thompson’s class when I first heard Bob Dylan.
He played the song "Blowin’ in the Wind" on an old record player, and I was mesmerized.
I’d never heard anything like it before.
The lyrics were so powerful, and the way Dylan sang them with such raw emotion gave me chills.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the song all day, and when I got home, I looked up the lyrics online and printed them out.
I read them over and over again, trying to figure out what they meant.
It was like a puzzle, and I was determined to solve it.
That’s when I decided I wanted to learn how to play guitar.
I begged my parents to buy me one for my birthday, and they finally caved.
I cradled my new guitar in my lap, the glossy wood reflecting the dim light of my bedroom.
My fingers traced the strings, feeling the tension and potential beneath them.
I took a deep breath and tried to remember the chords I had seen in the tutorial videos.
"Sarah, dinner's ready!" Mom called from downstairs.
"Coming!" I shouted back, reluctantly setting the guitar aside.
At the dinner table, I couldn't contain my excitement.
"Mom, Dad, did you know Bob Dylan wrote 'Blowin' in the Wind' in just ten minutes?" I blurted out.
Dad raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Quite impressive."
Mom smiled. "You really like that song, don't you?"
"It's more than just liking it," I said, leaning forward. "It's like... it's speaking to me."
Dad chuckled. "Well, as long as it doesn't tell you to skip school."
I rolled my eyes but laughed along.
After dinner, I rushed back to my room and picked up the guitar again.
I positioned my fingers on the fretboard, trying to form a G chord.
The strings buzzed awkwardly under my touch.
Frustration bubbled up inside me.
Why did this have to be so hard?
I took a deep breath and tried again.
This time, the chord sounded clearer, more like music and less like noise.
A small victory.
Days turned into weeks as I practiced every spare moment I had.
My fingertips grew calloused, but I didn't mind.
It was a sign of progress.
One afternoon after school, I found myself back in Mr. Thompson's classroom.
He was sorting through a stack of sheet music when he noticed me lingering by the door.
"Sarah! Come on in," he said warmly.
I stepped inside, clutching my guitar case nervously.
"I... I wanted to show you something," I stammered.
Mr. Thompson's eyes lit up with curiosity. "By all means."
I sat down and carefully took out my guitar.
My hands trembled slightly as I positioned them on the strings.
Then, with a deep breath, I began to play "Blowin' in the Wind."
The notes were shaky at first, but as I continued, they grew steadier.
When I finished, Mr. Thompson clapped enthusiastically.
"That was wonderful, Sarah! You've made incredible progress."
A warm glow spread through me at his praise.
"Thank you," I said softly.
Mr. Thompson leaned forward. "You know, there's a school talent show coming up next month. You should consider performing."
My heart skipped a beat.
Me? Perform in front of an audience?
"I... I'll think about it," I replied hesitantly.
As I left his classroom, the idea of performing lingered in my mind.
Could I really do it?
Back home that evening, I broached the subject with my parents over dinner.
"Mr. Thompson thinks I should perform at the school talent show," I said cautiously.
Mom's eyes widened with surprise and pride. "That's wonderful! You should go for it."
Dad nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. We'll be there to cheer you on."
Their encouragement bolstered my confidence slightly, but doubts still gnawed at me.
What if I messed up?
What if everyone laughed?
Pushing those fears aside, I focused on practicing even harder over the next few weeks.
The day of the talent show arrived faster than I'd expected.
Backstage, my nerves were a tangled mess as I waited for my turn.
Finally, they called my name.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the stage and faced the audience under the bright lights.