[INTRO] [sound: quiet castle morning] [sound: distant footsteps in empty halls] [sound: one soft bagpipe note fading away] [First-Year Piper — young male, thoughtful voice] The halls were never quiet before... The mornings always had a song. A little drum beside my footsteps, A little tune that followed along. I used to wish for peaceful moments. I used to wish they'd disappear. I never thought I'd miss the sound... Of the little band I feared. [VERSE 1] The day I played the spell correctly, The room began to glow. The Piper Imps all stopped their playing, And smiled like they already knew. The tiny captain raised his hat, The band stood in a line. They weren't angry. They weren't leaving mad. They looked... Like they were proud of mine. [Piper Imp Captain Fergus — tiny energetic male, cheerful Scottish voice] You've learned the rhythm! You've found the note! You've finished what you started! Remember, young piper... A song is not about being perfect. It's about being honest. [First-Year Piper — young male, surprised voice] Wait... You're leaving? [Piper Imp Captain Fergus — tiny energetic male, cheerful Scottish voice] Of course! That means you're ready. [Sound: tiny pipes and drums] [Piper Imps — tiny joyful voices] Until the next true mistake! [Sound: magical shimmer] [VERSE 2] And then the halls were silent, The classroom felt so wide. No tiny band correcting me, No music by my side. No one tapping out the rhythm, No one saying, "Try again." No little voices cheering... Every time I reached the end. I thought I wanted freedom. I thought I wanted rest. But playing without their guidance... Was harder than I guessed. [CHORUS] I miss the song that wouldn't stop, The tune that followed me. The little band I tried to lose... Was teaching me to see. Every note they played beside me, Every correction, every sound... Was a friend who helped me find the music... I was searching for all along. So I'll play my pipes, I'll find my way. I'll learn the songs I need to play. And even in the quiet... I know they're not too far away. [VERSE 3] I tried to call them back one evening, Just one little mistake. I thought if I played the tune again... The magic would awake. I bent a note a little sideways, I forced the rhythm wrong. I waited for the tiny footsteps. I waited for their song. [sound: magical spark] Nothing. [First-Year Piper — confused voice] Did it work? [sound: tiny magical pop] [Sound cue: dripping water] My socks are wet. [Sound cue: fabric shifting] My kilt is backwards. [Sound: bagpipes suddenly playing] And my pipes... Are playing by themselves. [Piper Imp Captain Fergus — tiny energetic male, cheerful Scottish voice] A very creative attempt. [First-Year Piper — embarrassed voice] Fergus! [Piper Imp Captain Fergus — tiny energetic male, cheerful Scottish voice] However... There is one small problem. [First-Year Piper] What? [Piper Imp Captain Fergus] You made a mistake on purpose. [Pause] [First-Year Piper] Oh. [Piper Imp Captain Fergus] The magic can tell. [Sound: tiny laughter] [VERSE 4] The hex wasn't painful, It wasn't meant to hurt. Just a little reminder... That magic knows your heart. A wet sock here. A backwards tartan there. A surprise performance... When nobody was prepared. The Piper Imps weren't something to summon. They weren't a simple spell. They weren't a trick to use whenever... I needed help myself. They were friends who came when I was learning. Friends who came when I was true. And if I wanted them beside me... I had to keep improving too. [BRIDGE] [Professor Rowan — older male, calm Scottish mentor voice] A piper does not chase the music. A piper listens. The song arrives when the player is ready. [First-Year Piper — young male, softer voice] I thought they were following my mistakes. But they were following my journey. [CHORUS] I miss the song that wouldn't stop, The tune that stayed with me. The little band I called a problem... Was the teacher I couldn't see. Every wrong note had a lesson, Every failure had a place. Sometimes magic finds your courage... Before you find your grace. So I'll raise my pipes, I'll take my stand. I'll learn the music in my hands. And maybe someday... I'll hear again... The little band. [OUTRO] [sound: evening wind through castle towers] [First-Year Piper — quiet voice] Maybe tomorrow... I'll play without trying to call them. Maybe tomorrow... I'll just play. [silence] [sound: one tiny bagpipe note from far away] [First-Year Piper — smiling] I heard that. [sound: tiny footsteps running away] [Piper Imp Captain Fergus — distant tiny voice] Keep practicing! [sound: laughter and fading pipes]
