A-Z Challenge Day 26

Keith's Ramblings

Short stories featuring musical instruments and those who play them!

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fjjIt was Wednesday. Market day.  He clutched his zither under one arm, his folding stool under the other and headed for the square.

He called himself Harry and wore a lime green waistcoat. He was one of several buskers who performed there each week in the hope of making a bob or two. There was a guy with a guitar, a bloke with a banjo and a singer singing songs.

There he sat with his zither on his lap making merry music.

Inevitably, someone would ask him to play the Harry Lime theme.

‘It’ll cost you’ he’d say pointing to the upturned trilby at his feet!

He played it several times each session and did pretty well.

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As the market traders packed up their stalls, he clutched his zither under one arm, his folding stool under the other and headed for the pub.

‘Gin and tonic landlady’ he called out as he walked to the bar.

‘A slice of lime Harry?’ Lucie asked.

‘But of course’ he replied. It happened every week like a well-rehearsed routine.

Inevitably, someone would ask him to play the Harry Lime theme.

‘It’ll cost you’ he’d say pointing to his near-empty glass.

He played it several times each session and got pretty tipsy!

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When the time came to leave he clutched his zither under one arm, his folding stool under the other and tottered his way home. 

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It was Wednesday. Market day ……

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This version of the Harry Lime Theme from the movie The Third Man is brilliant. It starts off sensible then about three minutes in, it becomes pure farce! Take a look, it’ll be five minutes well spent!

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Previous posts

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Years past

2020 – Stories featuring obsolete words starting with  – Zaass

2019 – Stories for children – Z

2018 – My Friend Rosey – Z

2017 – The village of Amble Bay –Z

Click on the letter of the day to revisit.

 

And that’s it folks! Time to pack away the instruments, send the players home and put my feet up! Thanks to all that dropped by and left such lovely comments. Don’t let’s be strangers!

59 thoughts on “A-Z Challenge Day 26”

  1. Denise Apr 30, 2021 / 01:17

    Congratulations on finishing and thanks for the musical stories.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 30, 2021 / 11:58

      Perhaps I should have had an upturned trilby at the bottom of each of my stories! Thanks for sticking with me Mimi.

      Like

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  4. msjadeli Apr 30, 2021 / 05:12

    Very cute story and delightful video. I like it when orchestras can have fun like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Bob Scotney Apr 30, 2021 / 05:39

    Well done Keith. Ive enjoyed reading all your posts and have learnt a lot about instruments. Harry Lime and the Third Man just finish off a great Challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Sadje Apr 30, 2021 / 06:16

    Great story too end the challenge Keith. I thoroughly enjoyed this year. As always

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. K.J. Apr 30, 2021 / 08:33

    I really enjoyed this story Keith. I have read all your A-to-Z postings this year and loved them all, but this one stood out for me. Great work getting through the entire alphabet!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 30, 2021 / 12:37

      I admit I hadn’t heard of many of them myself a month ago! What did we do before google?

      I just looked up the Santoor, and it is very similar, except it’s struck rather than plucked!

      Thank you so much for following my stories.

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  12. Arti Jain Apr 30, 2021 / 14:03

    Bravo Keith! I’m giving you a standing ovation for making this April so musical and happy for your readers.
    Raising a toast to the return of days when concerts will once again be enjoyed with as much mirth as is seen in this video.
    Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 30, 2021 / 14:44

      Oh my goodness, what can I say! That’s so kind of you. Bring on the concerts!

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  13. earthskyair Apr 30, 2021 / 14:16

    Another delightful tale, and the perfect cap to a great series! Enjoyed the video, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Liam Apr 30, 2021 / 15:10

    Congratulations on completing your A to Z! I’ve enjoyed your stories.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Anita Apr 30, 2021 / 15:23

    Smart Harry, but not quite 🙂
    But, if he drank away and didn’t save any money, how will he buy from the market?

    Congrats for A2Z completion!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Unishta Apr 30, 2021 / 16:48

    Thoroughly enjoyable . I enjoyed these stories ( as I do all your others) and always look forward to what you have to say…. a real treat this was .
    Especially at a time when the world is going upside down

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 30, 2021 / 17:38

      Thanks for your generous words Unushta. It’s been good to have something to distract us from everything that’s going on out there.

      Like

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    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 30, 2021 / 17:42

      It’s not seen much these days.

      I’m delighted you liked the story, and I must thank you for being such a regular visitor to my humble blog during the challenge.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Deborah Weber Apr 30, 2021 / 17:15

    Clearly there can be no dithering with the zithering if market days are to end at the pub. Congrats on a well-played challenge Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 30, 2021 / 17:20

      Haha, nice one! After a month of storytelling, I’m withering! Thanks so much, Deborah.

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  20. Iain Kelly Apr 30, 2021 / 17:29

    Lovely way to finish, I’m sure he’s happy to play the same theme so long as gets rewarded! Been a joy to read each day, Keith, easily one of the best A-Z of the year..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings May 1, 2021 / 09:30

      We did indeed Gail, now it’s our turn for an after-session session! Thanks so much for your loyal support.

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  22. Frédérique Apr 30, 2021 / 23:03

    I love this video, very funny! The guy almost crying because he is laughing is great 😂. And your story is lovely, as the previous ones. I enjoyed a lot yours posts.
    Congratulations on completing the challenge 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings May 1, 2021 / 09:33

      That orchestra never fails to entertain! Thank you for your regular visits to my place, it was much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. hilarymb May 1, 2021 / 14:32

    Fantastic Keith – wonderful video … and congratulations on amusing us, while working your way through 26 ideas … loved them – cheers – Hilary

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    • Keith's Ramblings May 1, 2021 / 15:23

      That’s so kind of you Hilary, thank you. I have to admit I’m quite pleased it’s over!

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  24. jenne49 May 1, 2021 / 18:00

    A delightful story to finish with, Keith. And the video too. The Harry Lime theme tune took me right back to evenings in our house when I was wee and my older brother would be watching The Third Man. I’ve actually found a YouTube video of one of the episodes for later.
    I’ve really enjoyed the stories. Congratulations on finishing the course!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings May 2, 2021 / 16:17

      I must go searching myself!

      Jenne, I can’t thank you enough for reading my stories and for leving such encouraging comments.

      Like

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      • jenne49 May 2, 2021 / 18:36

        Ah well, I’ve enjoyed reading them. And I’m not finished yet. There are still some i want to catch up on…

        Liked by 1 person

  25. abishta Jun 14, 2021 / 00:08

    I really enjoyed these and your other short stories. You are a great writer. I am truly amazed how you write so much and it’s all a pleasure to read.
    I don’t know anything about The Third Man but that video was really funny 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 14, 2021 / 09:55

      Abishta, I can’t thank you enough for spending so much time reading my stories, and for your kind words. It makes it all worthwhile.

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