Hidden Talents
When my 10-year-old grandson Ryan announced he would host his school concert, I pretended excitement. "I can't wait!" I said, though I 1 the hard chairs and lengthy show. The theme was Songs From Every Continent, with the kids dressed up in animal costumes. Ryan, a(n) 2 host, was quite proud of holding his own microphone. I loved him dearly, but school concerts 3 my patience. Still, it was my grandmotherly duty to attend.
The auditorium was crowded with 200 guests. Lights dimmed, and Ryan stepped onstage wearing an Aussi e hat and khaki shorts, 4 a stuffed giraffe toy. "Evening, mates!" he boomed in a perfect accent, spinning the giraffe and cracking jokes between acts. His confidence 5 the audience a lot. But it was no 6 , given his past outstanding performances.
Midway through, a class of younger students moved 7 onstage and it took a while for them to gather. A boy wearing monkey ears shyly approached the standing microphone. I saw his lips move, but whatever he said had come out as a8 . Something was wrong with the mic. He 9 his head, his monkey ears down-turned. Everyone around me looked uncomfortable for the boy, but no one knew what to do.
"It's okay, Michael," a firm voice 10 the tension. Everyone looked to the far corner of the stage. There stood Ryan. "You're a brilliant monkey. Help is on the way." His11 stunned me. As a teacher 12 the equipment, Ryan kept reassuring, "Hold tight, my friend!" When Michael finally sang, the crowd 13 with applause.
I watched the rest of the concert in14 . It had surprised me after all, putting my grandson's15 talents on display. Love. Compassion. Friendship. I wouldn't have missed seeing that side of him for the world.
