THE FIRST REALM: RED — Time for music

In the Red Realm, the wind seemed to know many songs, too. The houses had bells, jingle bells, and metal ornaments that rang as they moved. Their notes mingled with birdsong and the voices of those at work.

Yaseee showed her string, wind, and percussion instruments. Some were made from objects so simple that Skyblue would never have imagined they could make music. He let her try them, though not all the sounds she produced were pleasant.

In the dragons’ land, musical instruments were kept in the museum. They came out for weddings and christenings, then returned to their shelves. Once, Skyblue had said she wanted to learn to play one. Her father had told her not to waste her time.

Now she watched Yaseee’s hands on the strings and listened to one note inviting the next.

“How do you get so much done and still have time for music?” she asked. “I don’t hear you complaining all day.”

Yaseee rested the instrument on his knees.

“We do things with love, and give each activity the time it needs. We feed the spirit, too. Food and a roof over your head aren’t enough.”

He pointed to the trees around them.

“We stop to look, to listen, to enjoy what’s here. Music helps us be present. Sometimes it accompanies our work; at other times, listening is all we do.”

Nearby, a female dwarf was weaving and singing softly. Skyblue watched her hands follow the pattern without losing the song’s rhythm.

The dwarves usually did one thing at a time. They finished one task before beginning the next and did not interrupt an adult at work or a child at play unless they had to. They played jokes on one another, too, but Skyblue noticed that they waited for the right moment and tried to make sure everyone could laugh.