Stone Soup

Where young artists paint the world with words

The international magazine of stories, poems, and art by young writers and artists. Published continuously since 1973.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay updated with our latest stories, poems, and news delivered to your inbox.

Flying

Writing Workshop, September 12, 2020, on metaphor

Flying By Sophia Tucker

Lily Lang was sitting in the metro, listening to some music when she noticed an advertisement on the top of the wall that read: “Miri Noel provides the best piano lessons which will bring your music to life, with your listeners flying in the air!”  Lily started building excitement, smiled and thought to herself, I’ve always wanted to fly!- like the birds! Maybe if I told my older sister to start playing the piano, I’ll listen to her practice, and I’ll fly!      So, the next day, she marched up to her sister and commanded, “Please take piano lessons with Miri Noel.” Her sister answered, suspiciously, “How did you know I wanted to?”, but Lily remained silent and whispered to herself, “Wow, this went easier than I thought!”     A month into her sister's practice, Lily asked her sister to play something, and she did. She played a beautiful piece, The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. The sister was already at measure four, but nothing was happening. Lily could feel the vibrations and the beautiful sounds. She closed her eyes and tried to picture flying. But instead, she saw birds singing their own concertos, trees, and Spring. But when she heard the last note of the piece, she was still on the ground, in her living room. But it almost felt as if she was flying. This feeling was better than she expected.