I began my training as a young child when I was living under a willow tree in Buresville with my dog Ruthie. Every morning the elderly Guru would arrive at the tree to wake Ruthie and I for our day of training and practice. While Ruthie chased birds and squirrels, I sat in front of my bonong and tried my best to tap out that familiar melody. I couldn't seem to grasp the leap from the 5 to the 2. One day everything changed. The Guru sat down with me and demonstrated once more how to play the 656522. I practiced all day and as the sun began to set, I thought to myself that I would try once more to get it right. I took a deep breath and...656522 3 3 3 656522 I DID IT! I was so proud of myself. Ruthie ran over to me with a bird in her mouth and gave me a big hug. The Guru smiled proudly and we all walked off into the sunset.

Yesterday I was walking down the street on my way to a public gamelan performance in the park when I heard a familiar sound. My heart leapt in my chest as I eagerly strained my ears to listen more. I could hardly believe it! There was another bonong player, right in the small town of Buresville! I followed my ears to find my soulmate and when I knocked on the door, I felt a spark of excitement rush through my fingertips. The door opened and I almost fainted. The other bonong player was one of my long lost triplet sisters! We excitedly hugged each other and then played the bonong all night.

Stay tuned for next times installment of my bonong story in which I learn to play the 656522 song!

location: Buresville mood: ecstatic