Miracle on Fifth

“Aayyyeeee!”

Quickly Andy made a decision, jumped off the stool, and dashed down the corridor leading to the sanctuary. Someone was in terrible pain. However, as he quietly opened the sanctuary’s side door, it sounded more like people arguing. He tiptoed through the door and peered into the large, domed room.

"It’s the end of us, the absolute end!” shrieked a female voice. Andy was sure this was the same voice he had heard screaming before.

“Oh, pipe down!” ordered a low, growly male voice.

"I can’t pipe down,” the female replied indignantly. “Besides, that conversation we overheard has me so upset, I just want to cry!”

Andy couldn’t figure out from where the voices were coming. He looked all around the sanctuary and couldn’t see anyone there. He peered into the back of the hall. Nothing.

Andy crept between two pews so he could hear what they were saying. He felt a little guilty eavesdropping.

He raised his head so that he could hear a little better.

“You all heard what the pastor said to our organist, Mr. Toot. If funds aren’t found to repair the church, it will be demolished.

And that includes us,” wailed the high-pitched female pipe.

It was then that Andy saw a notice taped on the wall. It read:

This building located at 234 Fifth Street, Seattle has been condemned by the City of Seattle.

If proof of funds for the necessary repairs is not submitted by December 26th, this property will be demolished.

Sitting on the floor between the pews, Andy tried to understand what he had just heard. He was shocked that the pipes could actually talk to each other! But he was also very upset about the possibility of what could happen to the church and the pipe organ.

His Mom had signed him up for organ lessons with the church organist, Mr. Tootenwhizzle, or Mr. Toot for short. She thought it would keep him out of trouble. She felt he had inherited musical talent from his grandfather who had been the previous church organist. Now, after six months, Andy discovered that he really enjoyed the lessons. He loved the pipe organ although he would never admit it to another living soul. After all, how geeky was that? He got enough teasing just for being in the Little Angels choir. Little Angels, oh brother.

Andy wanted to talk to his Mom about what he had overheard. Of course, he couldn’t tell her how he had heard it because she would say he was eavesdropping again. Eavesdropping, hmmm. Andy got an idea that might help the pipes.