The 7th string Guitar

The 7th string Guitar In the city of Doha there were two best friends, Jake and Noah who studied in Qatar Independent School. They were both in senior high school and liked to play musical instruments. They don't have many friends nor are they excellent in academics. One day, the school announced that there will be a musical contest for the upcoming foundation day. The musical contest criteria can be in a group, duo or solo. Jake asked Noah, what do you think of this contest ? Do you think we can register for this competition? Noah replied, but how are we going to practice? We don’t even have a place to practice. Jake whispered to him, we will look for a place in Doha city where we can rent a studio to practice after school. So after the class they decided to look for studio but unfortunately the rent was expensive and they could not afford it. While walking, they spotted a small musical instrument shop from a distance, the place looks unkempt and old. They went inside and met the owner of the shop. The instruments in the display are untidy and dusty. Jake approached the owner, Hello,my name is Jake and this is my friend Noah. We are looking for a studio to practice our song. Noah keep sneezing and covering his nose.The old man raise his head and smile, hi my name is Mr. Chan I am the owner of this shop.I am sorry my place is so dusty and due to my old age I could not keep this shop tidy and even clean the instruments. Noah suddenly got an idea, “Mr. Chan how about we will make a deal, we will clean your shop and keep it tidy but in return you will allow us to practice in your small studio. That is a brilliant idea, the old man said. Come inside and take a look at the studio. The room was small with the old instruments inside but this is the only place where they can practice for free. So they decided to make a deal with Mr.Chan and he accepted the offer. You may come back the next day to start cleaning the shop, Mr. Chan said. The next day, Noah and Jake clean the shop of Mr Chan. While cleaning the shop Noah saw an old guitar, look Jake it looks like an old guitar, but it looks different. Yeah looks weird and different, said Jake. Then Noah grabbed the guitar and strummed the strings and it made a different sound. When Jake held the guitar he noticed that it had 7 strings instead of 6. Mr Chan shouted, DON’T TOUCH THAT GUITAR!.The boys were alarmed by his voice. Then Jake said, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to touch it. This was my grandfather's guitar, Mr. Chan said. He played it for my father and my father also played it for me when I was young. During the 2nd World War 2, the Japanese dropped the bombs in the city of China and my mother died and only this guitar was left unbroken in our house during the war. We are so sorry Mr. Chan, we didn’t know that this is your most precious possession, the boys said. Jake and Noah were so busy practicing their song for the show the next day. Jake was the guitarist and was the vocalist. They kept practicing for hours and suddenly Jake's guitar string snapped out. This is not a good sign, Jake said. He went to Mr Chan and asked if he had a spare string, but Mr Chan told him that the guitar strings were sold out. Then Jake said. Mr. Chan we have a big problem, I can’t play with my guitar and our performance will be tomorrow. Mr Chan while thinking how to help them suddenly said, I have an idea I will lend you the guitar of my grandfather but you need to be careful when using it. Thank you Mr Chan you saved our lives, Jake said. The boys were so happy and they continue practicing but Jake doesn't know

how to use the 7 string guitar. Mr Chan went to them and said this is the secret on how to use the 7 string guitar, do not strum the seventh string, Mr Chan said. Jake started using it and the notes are more refined and perfect. On the night of the contest. The host called, our next performers for tonight are Jake and Noha Duo. They went up to the stage and started playing. The intro went smooth, the guitar played perfect notes and the audience were in awe when they heard the music. Then in the middle of the performance, Jake strummed the seventh string by mistake and their performance level up. It seems like they are being controlled by someone and they delivered an excellent performance. The audience stood up from their seats and swayed with the music. Towards the end of their performance Jake saw Mr Chan among the audience but his face was not happy. After some time, the judge announced, for tonight's performance our winner is Jake and Noah Duo. The two friends were jumping up and down and they were so overjoyed by the result. I can’t believe that we won, this is so unexpected, Jake said. The Next morning Jake and Noah went back to Mr Chan's shop to return the guitar. When they arrived at Mr Chan’s shop he was not at the counter so they looked for him and they found him inside the studio with a gloomy and sad face. What’s wrong Mr Chan? asked Noah, you look so pale, are you sick? Do you want us to take you to the hospital? But he told them, no, don't take me to the hospital, just bring me my medicine, it is inside the drawer. Thank you boys, Mr Chan said. Then they left the guitar in the studio but Jake was wondering why Mr. Chan got sick suddenly, he was so well just the other day. Mr. Chan holds the guitar on his lap while tracing with his thumb the short note inscribed behind the guitar that says, “A single tree makes no forest, one string makes no music.” Jake and Noah became so popular in school since they won the contest. Noah became friends with others and started to forget about his best friend Jake. He even changed his attitude and behavior and even joined the other band group. Jake and Noah met in the hallway. Hey, Noah wait up, Jake said. Noah stopped and talked to Jake, I won't be your partner anymore. I am joining the other band group as a vocalist. So just like that! You will just leave me alone, you are becoming greedy of your fame and you got a big head now, Jake said.. Noah and his new band mates were practicing for their upcoming performance for the battle of the bands. But every time he sings his voice becomes different. It sounds so horrible and out of tune and he couldn't understand why. His band mates noticed it and said, Noah , why is your voice like that? You are out of sync. If you continue singing like that you will be out of the band. I'm so sorry I will try my best, Noah said. On the night of the battle of the band, the performance of Noah's band mates were not good. Even the audience shouted, Booooooo get down from the stage, your voice is horrible. And some people throw their plastic bottles at them. The band were embarrassed and they blamed Noah for it. Noah was so depressed because of the humiliation and he didn't want to go to school anymore. One day he passed by Mr Chan’s shop and told him the story of what happened and on his way out he met Jake. I am so sorry Jake for my behavior last time, I regretted it, Noah said. I hope we can be friends again. Mr Chan overheard the conversation and said, boys I’m glad that you became friends again. You can always come to my studio if you both want to practice.

The Christmas festival is coming and everyone is in cheerful spirits. Inside the studio, Mr. Chan left a big gift wrapped in red and sparkling ribbon for Jake and Noah.They were so surprised when they opened it. It is an old guitar with 7 strings and both of them were speechless and the note says, Merry Christmas Jake and Noah, may this gift keep the strong bond of your friendship. A single tree makes no forest, one string makes no music, just like your friendship, without your teamwork and support of each other your dreams in life won't come true. The main highlight of the festival is the whole night of non-stop music and dance in the park. Jake and Noah are one of the performers of the night. This time they use the guitar given to them by Mr. Chan. As they got up on stage, people were shouting their names and cheering on them. They performed with all their hearts and everyone in the audience was amazed and mesmerized by the guitar skills of Jake and the calming and soothing voice of Noah. Among the crowds Mr. Chan can be seen smiling and waving his hands at them.