Once upon a time there was a girl named Katya. Katya was nine years old, and she played the piano. And although Katya had both ear and voice, her teacher from the music school, Anna Glebovna, was very dissatisfied with her. And the reason was very unexpected.
- Katya," she said, "you know I'm very good to you, and I think you're one of the best in our music school. But for some reason you play without soul, as if you were a robot. If you solve this problem, everything will be perfect.
The same thing was said to Katya at vocal lessons, and when she read something at the regular school. And she had no idea what to do about it, until she had a very unusual assistant.
That evening Katya spent a very long time rehearsing a piece for another concert. When she had once again finished the piece, she said:
- And I know everything, but I still play like a robot - with a sigh she finished - Well, it's time to sleep.
A few hours later, Katya was awakened by a strange sound. She opened her eyes and realized that it was someone playing the piano.
- I wonder who is playing? - Katya thought, went to look, and saw that at the piano sat a strange creature that looked like a gnome and a ferret at the same time. He had a very kind face, and seemed to be smiling all the time. But Katya was still startled by the sight of him.
- Who are you? - She finally asked.
- I'm the musical assistant," the little man answered. He sounded like a gnome from a cartoon.
- And I'm Katya," she said in reply.
- I know," replied the little man.
- Ah...what are you doing here? - Katya asked.
- Musical assistants are needed to take care of instruments so that they play better. We can also give inspiration to musicians.
Katya stood watching him for a while, and then suddenly asked:
- You said you give inspiration - the little man nodded - and can you help me make me play not like a robot? Cause I get scolded for that a lot.
- There are many ways of inspiration - thoughtfully answered the assistant - for example, you can try to imagine what your play or song is about. After all, any work has a title? - Katya nodded. - You can imagine what you are singing or playing about.
Katya thought about it, and said that this way didn't suit her.
- I can still try it with songs," she said, "but plays and sketches... They have such strange names that I don't even know what they mean the first time I hear them. Or some name, the owner of which, again, I do not know. What am I supposed to do?
The deputy hesitated.
- There's another famous way," he finally answered, "You have guests at your performances, don't you? - Katya nodded - Your parents, relatives and friends?
- Yeah. (chuckles)
- Then you could try dedicating your performance to someone. They may never know about it, but it will help you a lot. Think about who you are singing or playing for.
- Okay, I'll try," Katya promised and went to bed.
When Katya woke up, she didn't realize whether the meeting had happened in a dream or in reality. But she forgot about it almost immediately, because of the bad news. Katya's grandmother, who really wanted to come to the concert to her favorite granddaughter, was very ill. Katya was very upset and frightened, and at first wanted to refuse to participate in the concert at all. But her mother said:
- Katusha, grandma will be very upset if she finds out you canceled the show.
The day of the concert came. Katya went on stage, sat down at her instrument, and suddenly remembered her assistant's advice:
- Think about who you're playing for! Think!
- I'll dedicate the performance to my grandmother, she decided.
What a performance it was! The audience gave a standing ovation, some of them even cried, and everyone without exception said that they had not heard a more emotional performance for a long time.
Since then, Katina's performances have been some of the most emotional at the music school, and her grandmother has recovered. That's how her musical assistant helped her.
The end