The First Musician

Long ago, the world was made of music. The wind whistled through the sky, the waves beat tattoos of rhythm on the shores, and trees whispered notes of wonder. But music was a rare commodity, held by only nature itself. One day, a villager, who was destined to be the First Musician, set out into the world to claim music as humanity's own. Exploring every nook and crevice of the vast Earth, the Musician finally came across a Woodpecker. The Woodpecker was pecking a tree, creating rapid beats. The Musician, sensing an opportunity to create music, ran up to the Woodpecker and asked, "Wise Woodpecker, will you teach me how to hit wood, as you do?" The Woodpecker agreed and showed the Musician how to carve a wooden stake. The Musician then took the wooden stake and tapped it against a tree, making a high-pitched drumming sound. Storing the instrument away, the Musician continued on his journey, this time coming across the sandy beaches where the Ocean met the Land. Observing the waves, the Musician was once again struck with an idea. "Wise Ocean, will you teach me how to move water, as you do?" Like the Woodpecker before, the Ocean taught the Musician its ways. The Musician was taught how to create a bowl and fill it with water. When the bowl was filled, the Musician created another bowl and sealed them together, creating an orb. The Musician shook the orb, and the water whirled inside of it, creating splashes of music. The Musician then left to go to the forests, where wind streamed through the leaves of trees, creating musical whistles and tunes. The Musician walked up to a wise old Oak Tree and asked, "Wise Oak Tree, can you teach me how to whistle, as you do?" The Oak Tree obliged, showing the Musician how to carve a wooden stick into a hollow tube. When the Musician was finished, he had created the first flute. However, there was only one more type of music that the Musician would have to learn. Traveling up the highest mountain in the land, the Musician met a giant Spider. "Wise Spider," the musician asked, "will you teach me how to coax music from the strings, as you do?" The Spider looked down at the Musician and replied, "My music will only be taught to those who can play with more beauty than I can." The Musician accepted the challenge, bringing out his three instruments and playing music. However, the Spider spun a web of strings and played an enchanting and beautiful tune, far outplaying the Musician. Realizing that he could not learn how to play the string unless he could beat the Spider, which was impossible, the Musician came up with a crafty plan. "Wise Spider," the Musician said, "Your music is indeed beautiful. Could I have one of your strings as a souvenir of your music's beauty?" The Spider, who was very proud, agreed and gave the Musician one of the strings from his web. Descending the mountain, the Musician came down to earth and fashioned a hollow box, over which he placed the string. Crafting five other replica strings from horsehair, the Musician attached them to the box as well, creating the first guitar. From then onward, humanity has claimed music as its own, creating many instruments, and with them, enchanting music.