Elsie’s Quiet Drum

Elsie sits on the rug with a drum. Her friend is looking at a book nearby. “I want a little rain sound,” says Elsie.

She pats the drum with both hands. BOOM! Her friend looks up. Elsie stops. “That was thunder,” she says.

Mrs Green sits beside her. “What could your fingers try?” she asks. Elsie rests one finger on the drum.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Elsie makes three small sounds. Her friend smiles and goes back to the book. “Little drops,” says Elsie.

She tries a slow beat. Tap ... tap ... tap. Then her fingers go faster. The rain seems to hurry across the rug.

Mrs Green lifts her hand. Elsie pauses. They listen. A real drop taps the window. Elsie answers with one soft tap.

Her friend closes the book and comes over. Elsie makes a short pattern. Her friend listens and taps it back.

They take turns making rain sounds. Sometimes the drum is quiet. Sometimes there is a pause. Elsie likes listening as much as playing.