The Little Yellow Piano

I remember the day I went searching for a piano for my youngest daughter, Esther. She’d expressed interest in learning to play and being the kind of girl who sticks with something when she sets out to learn it, I knew the purchase wouldn’t be in vane.

The piano showroom was vast. A warehouse filled with every kind of piano you could imagine. There were black, white, and wood-stained pianos. There were grand, baby grand, and upright pianos. An overwhelming number of them and I wove through them as though through a forest, looking for a rare specimen.

A salesman walked up to me—an older gentleman with an earnest expression. “Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Do you happen to have a green piano? You know that color that was everywhere in the 60’s? That avocado green?”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t have anything green,” he answered.

“Do you have anything I could paint green?” I asked hopefully.

“Hmm. You know it’s really not a good idea to paint a piano,” he explained appologetically. “It can easily damage the instrument.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” I said. “Okay, then do you have anything that would remind you of Charlie Brown at Christmas time?” The salesman blinked and looked around thoughtfully.

“Something like this?” he asked, pointing to a shiny, black piano nearby.

“No, I don’t want one like the piano that Schroeder plays,” I explained. “I’m looking for a piano that reminds me of the feeling I get when I see the multi-colored lights on Snoopy’s doghouse and hear the happy music with the kids dancing around. You know that warm, happy, cozy feeling? Nothing fancy, just something like a hug.”

I knew this was asking a lot and doubted whether this earnest gentleman would be able to fully appreciate what I was seeking. Because who’s ever heard of a piano that feels like the multi-colored lights on Snoopy’s doghouse? Or a piano that feels like a hug? But I figured it was worth a shot.

“I believe I may have just the thing,” said the salesman.

I followed him, weaving all the way to the back of the vast warehouse, and there it was. A small, upright, light yellow piano. It was the coziest, happiest looking piano I’d ever seen. It was better than the green one I’d imagined. It felt exactly like Charlie Brown at Christmas time and exactly like a hug! It couldn’t have been more perfect if it had been illuminated by heavenly light. In reality, it sat in a dark corner. The same dark corner it may have been sitting in for quite a long time—unwanted and unsought out until this very moment.

“It’s not an expensive piano,” the salesman said, “but it’s a very good instrument. It has a great sound and an interesting history.” He sat down and ran his fingers expertly over the keys. He was right, it made a beautiful sound. He went on to explain that the company which had originally built this piano was known for its excellent quality and that it had, for some reason I’ve now forgotten, later been bought out by a larger company and this particular color had been discontinued. The price had been discounted repeatedly and now here it sat.

That day I happily paid a small sum of money, as pianos go, to purchase our greatly treasured, incredibly cheerful, light yellow piano which Esther has played ever since. We wouldn’t trade it for any other piano in the world. Not even a green one.

Dear reader, I don’t know your story, but if you happen to be feeling like a forgotten, light yellow piano sitting in the very back of a vast showroom full of much more expensive, fancier pianos, I want to remind you how precious you are. You are sought after and greatly treasured. God says so.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”~Isaiah 43:1

Blessings to you,

~Amy

P.S. Thank you to Holly for encouraging me to share this story! ❤️