🌾 Melvin’s Singing Lessons
©2026 Susan Barker Nikitenko — All
Rights Reserved
Melvin
the donkey with a BIG voice. When he brayed, the barn doors rattled, the
chickens scattered, and the windmill spun a little faster. Melvina, his sweet
wife, had a soft, beautiful voice that floated like sunshine across Peacefield
Farm.
One bright morning, Melvina said, “Melvin, dear, let’s
practice your singing.”
Then Melvin let out a note so LOUD that:
- Clara‑Belle
the Cow dropped her hay
- Percy
the Pig dove into the mud
- Hattie
the Hen laid an egg
- Mr.
Whiskerford the Cat fainted (dramatically)
Melvina blinked, her bow fluttering. “Well… that was
strong, Melvin.”
Clara‑Belle trotted over, ears ringing. “Mercy, Melvin… I
thought the tractor exploded.”
Percy snorted. “I thought the barn roof was coming down!”
Hattie clucked nervously. “I thought the sky was
falling!”
Melvin’s ears drooped. “I just want to sing like
Melvina…”
Melvina nuzzled him gently. “Oh, Melvin… you don’t need a
small voice. You just need a guided voice. And remember — you can do all things
through Christ.”
Children can color Melvina encouraging Melvin.
Melvin straightened, encouraged. He tried again — this time
aiming for less thunder, more melody.
The note that came out was still loud… but warm, steady, and
surprisingly pleasant.
Clara‑Belle mooed. Percy tossed corn like confetti. Hattie
fainted again. Mr. Whiskerford revived just long enough to faint a second time.
Then Bartholomew the Rooster strutted in proudly. “I
heard singing!” He crowed loudly — and terribly off-key.
Just as
Melvin finished his latest booming note, a familiar sound drifted from the pond
— a chorus of honks, squawks, and fluttering feathers. It was the Goose
Choir, led by Gerald the Goose‑Maestro, wearing his usual serious
expression and a feather bowtie that never stayed straight.
“Melvin’s taking singing lessons?” Gerald gasped. The other
geese honked in disbelief. “From Melvina?” “Does she have earplugs?” “Should we
evacuate the pond?”
Melvina smiled politely. “Now, now, geese — Melvin’s
learning to sing with joy, not just volume.”
Gerald puffed his chest. “Well, we are professionals.
Perhaps we can assist.”
The geese lined up, lifted their wings, and began their warm‑up
honks. Melvin joined in — loudly, proudly, and completely off‑key. The result
was so thunderous that:
- The
pond rippled like a storm,
- The
scarecrow lost his hat,
- Percy’s
mud puddle formed waves,
- and
Clara‑Belle’s milk pail vibrated off the fence.
Gerald staggered backward. “Melvin! You’ve invented a new
genre — Goose‑Opera!”
Melvina laughed until tears sparkled in her eyes. “See,
Melvin? Even the Goose Choir can’t out‑sing your joy.”
Just when the Goose Choir finished honking their dramatic
reactions and Melvin threw back his head in hearty laughter, a new sound
bubbled up from the barnyard.
Squeeeeee! Squee‑squee‑SQUEAL!
It was Percy the Pig — trotting forward with
excitement, mud splashing from his hooves. Behind him waddled Petunia, Pip,
and Puddle, each one squealing in their own cheerful pitch.
Percy puffed out his chest. “Melvin! That was the
funniest singing lesson I’ve ever heard!”
Petunia squealed a high note. Pip squealed a low note.
Puddle squealed a note that wiggled like a worm.
Together they chimed in with a joyful chorus of piggy
praise:
“Squeee! Squee‑squee! SQUEAL‑la‑lu‑jah!”
Melvin laughed even harder — his whole belly shaking.
Melvina giggled behind her hoof. The Goose Choir honked in rhythm. Clara‑Belle
mooed. Hattie clucked. Mr. Whiskerford fainted again.
Even the Scarecrow tipped his hat and called out, “Those
pigs have better rhythm than I do — Ha Ha Ha!”
The geese recovered, honked in harmony, and finally joined
Melvin for one glorious, funny finale — a barnyard symphony of honks, brays,
and laughter that echoed across Peacefield Farm.
When Melvin’s booming voice rolled across Peacefield Farm,
even the Goose Choir lost their rhythm. Feathers flew, honks echoed, and
the pond rippled like a storm. From his post near the fence, the Scarecrow
wobbled on his stick, hat tilted sideways, straw arms flapping.
He steadied himself, chuckled, and called out, “He nearly
scared me to death — Ha Ha Ha!”
The geese honked louder, Melvina laughed until tears
sparkled, and Melvin threw back his head and laughed too. He always saw the
humor in things — even when his notes shook the rafters.
The barnyard rang with laughter and praise, a joyful noise
that made every creature smile. And Melvin remembered:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.” Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
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