The Pianist

Prelude
	The protagonist plays a few notes on a piano.
‘The Ball Game’
	In late spring, a group of kids play baseball. One kid goes up to bat, successfully hits the ball, and runs to first base. Another kid (the protagonist) goes up to bat, and smacks the ball through a neighbor’s window. They can’t play without the ball so he goes to get it.
‘From an Open Window’
	As he walks toward the house, he hears a piano through the upstairs window. He stops to listen. He sees a girl sitting inside the house listening to the music. He knocks on the door. The girl’s father answers. The protagonist makes an agreement with him: he will paint a fence to pay for the broken window.
‘Work and Play’
	As summer begins, he works for the girl’s father. Kids tease him for being unable to enjoy the beautiful weather. As he's working, one day he's interrupted by the girl from the window. They become friends. He comes to her house and she sneaks out to play with him. She explains that she's not allowed out because she's very sick. Her father plays the piano for her to keep her entertained.
‘Nevermore the Child’
	As summer turns into autumn, the girl becomes bedridden. She can't go out anymore. Her father keeps playing the piano, but as she worsens the music becomes angrier. Winter comes. The protagonist visits on a cold evening. The girl asks her father to allow the boy inside. Her father agrees. The boy comes in the house. He sits and talks with her before he's led away to the fireplace to warm up. Later that night, her father holds her and she dies in his arms.