I’ve been told that often ‘the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Such was the case in our Community’s performing arts center on a recent eve where a crowd gathered to hear about the state of our schools.
The glossy agenda laid out the night’s speakers in bold letters Among the names a young lady had been scheduled to sing our Nation’s Anthem and kick off the program. As it happened, that featured performer took ill and at the last minute an understudy was found to treat the crowd.
The nervous teen took the stage and greeted both the spotlight and the awaiting audience with a nervous smile. Then, with no background music her strong and powerful voice radiated through the mic and speakers and the room was coated with her steady voice.
All was well until the moment in the song where we imagined the stripes and stripes gleam over the ramparts still standing after the barrage. Suddenly, the understudy in a light panic broke from the song and it was clear she had forgotten the lyrics to come. Disaster on stage was impending.
Then a natural thing happened. The crowd of Monrovians, young and old, all came to her aid by signing the line to come. This instant chorus then finished our nation’s pride in joyous communion and sent off the beaming understudy with a round of hearty claps.
I know this because I was there as a witness and as a voice in the throng.
