"The first thing Jack heard when he woke
up the next morning was his grandfather
strumming his guitar and playing Jack's
favorite song - the one about the blackbird.
"Can you teach me that?" Jack asked,
rubbing his eyes and settling down beside
his grandfather, watching as his fingers
danced across the guitar strings."
Jack's life has been filled with music. His grandfather, a music aficionado and guitarist, has made sure of that. His grandfather never missed a chance to play yet another record that filled the rooms with glorious sound. His extensive record collection and his ability to play various instruments was wondrous. Jack especially liked it when he played his guitar ... his favorite song on the guitar was 'the one about the blackbird'. Jack wanted to be just like his grandfather, and told him so.
Worried that his grandfather would think he was too young to learn, Jack was surprised at his awareness of Jack's love for and need to play music. Jack wanted to be taught to play the blackbird song. Before that could happen, his grandfather explained that they would make a slow start. It did not go well; the guitar was much bigger than expected and made noises Jack had never heard. It did not get easier despite his grandfather's encouragement. Jack wanted to give up.
""If it was easy, everyone would do it,"
his grandfather said kindly. "Keep trying.""
With hard work and patience, Jack got better. They worked day after day. As time passed, Jack got bigger and the guitar got smaller. The time came for Jack to move away from his grandfather and make his way in the world, playing his music for large crowds. When he was homesick, he listened to his grandfather's records.
During one visit, his grandfather admired Jack's guitar. Jack reminded that it once belonged to him. The tables turned and Jack thought he would now teach his grandfather to play again. Finding it difficult to remember, his grandfather handed the guitar back and asked Jack to play 'the one about the blackbird' for him.
Matt James' mixed-media artwork is as outstanding as ever. His characters, the setting, and the nostalgic feeling he gives to the flow of Ms. Florence's warm words makes for a real connection between generations and over time.
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