968. Guest violinist

42 Replies

968violin

Would he come and play his violin? They had heard he was a very good musician. They had put money aside, and once every two weeks someone was invited to talk or give a presentation of some sort.

Two weeks ago they had a visiting heart surgeon speak to them about the latest advances in cardio-vascular research. Of course, a heart surgeon costs the earth, but it was worth every cent, and he also gave a few tips as to how best to look after ones heart.

Before that the local representative of the “Save the Dolphin Society” spoke about the need to protect the rare Hector’s Dolphin against getting caught in fishing nets. He too got paid handsomely for his efforts.

And now, could you come and play your violin? He practised for it all week.

And indeed he did play wonderfully! The applause! And they gave him a lovely thank you card:

Thank you for sharing your gift of music with us all. You have indeed been blessed with a wonderful talent, and it is marvellous to see someone giving so freely of something they enjoy.

Listen to the story being read HERE!

42 thoughts on “968. Guest violinist”

  5. Cynthia Jobin

    Beautifully told story of an old truth about working for love and/or money— though I knew how it would end, long before the ending. Perhaps there will always be those who give a great deal more to the world than they receive in return from conventional society. That sometimes brings me to anger and tears. But I hope they continue to exist, as they are my favorite people.

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    1. Bruce Goodman Post author

      Yes, thanks for that, Cynthia. Sometimes I think it’s their own fault for being too nice. When I was a school librarian on $12.50 an hour (the absolute minimum wage) I used to do 10 to 15 hours for free over and above that: writing and producing the annual musical, creating and maintain the school’s website…. etc. “Oh you’re so creative” was all I got. Since I did all this from home, I asked the Principal if I could have $10 to help pay for the internet costs. To which his response was “If you want to get paid for it we might as well use the money to get it done professionally.” I let them do that, and it cost them $18,000 for the website alone! I think that gave me more pleasure than if I’d been given the money!

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      1. arlingwoman

        Ah, Bruce, I have been so sick with an evil virus I didn’t go to work last week. And just doesn’t seem to get better: just enters a new stage…having to try the minute clinic today. Ugh.

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  16. umashankar

    And I am reminded of Nietzsche who once said famously, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” How nice that he shared his gift of music with them —he needed to be thanked indeed. What a beautiful story!

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