Read Online A Simple Song by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page A

people who lived on a mountain and those who lived in the valley. For some reason the valley people were jealous, thinking that the mountain people had a great treasure buried up there. They insisted the mountain people should hand it over—or they would kill them. The people on the mountain offered to share their treasure, but the valley people refused. They wanted it all. So they went to war, killing all the mountain people. But when they pulled up the stone where the treasure was buried, all they found beneath it were the words “Peace on Earth.”
    When she finished the song, the barn was so silent she wondered if they all hated the song and her singing. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I know that was a serious song. But it reminded me of what we believe . . . our history . . . and . . .” She looked to Bekka for some help, but then she realized Bekka was crying. In fact, a number of people had tears in their eyes.
    Cooper stepped up beside her now. “That was the best song I’ve ever heard,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. They all began to clap and cheer, begging Katrina to sing another song.
    Relieved that they hadn’t hated the song or her singing, she promised to sing another song after they did some more group singing. Before the night was over, Katrina wound up singing five more songs to her friends. When it was time to go, many of them begged to know if she would be back again next time. She promised she would try. But even as she promised this, she wondered, what if her parents found out?

6
    â€œI don’t see why you worry so much about what your parents think,” Bekka said as they sat in the little office. They had just finished listening to the rest of the Willow Tree record, and it was well past one o’clock in the morning.
    â€œWe’re supposed to respect and obey our parents,” Katrina reminded her.
    â€œYou do respect and obey them,” Bekka told her. “More than most kids.”
    â€œBut my daed would not approve of me singing like I did tonight.” Katrina was just finishing going through the last of Mammi’s things, eager to open a sealed envelope she’d found. She hoped that it, like another envelope she’d just opened, might contain more photos of Mammi and her musical friends. She’d written “Willy and Larry and Starla” as well as the dates, all between 1962 and 1967, on the backs. When Katrina opened this envelope, she was surprised to see what looked like dollar bills. When she pulled them out, she was shocked to see that they were hundred-dollar bills. “Bekka!” she exclaimed, holding the fluttering bills in her hand. “Look at this!”
    Bekka turned from her computer, where she’d been playing a game. Her eyes opened wide. “Where did you get that?”
    â€œIt was in Mammi’s things.” Katrina counted the bills. “Seven hundred dollars. Can you believe it?”
    Bekka came over to watch as Katrina examined each bill carefully. “The dates are all before 1968. She must’ve put them in there when she got married.”
    â€œAnd left them there this whole time?”
    Katrina just nodded.
    â€œWhat are you going to do with them?” Bekka asked.
    â€œI’ll have to give them back to Daadi.” Katrina wondered how she would manage to do this without attracting attention from someone else—like Aunt Fannie.
    â€œWhy?” Bekka asked. “I thought Alma gave all this stuff to you.”
    â€œShe did, but we didn’t realize there would be money.” Perhaps Katrina could get Aunt Alma to help.
    â€œYour grandmother was one mysterious woman.” Bekka shook her head.
    â€œ Ja . Her story keeps growing bigger.” Katrina thought of Aunt Alma again, knowing she would want to hear the music on this record. “Can I ask Aunt Alma to come to your office to hear Mammi’s