Mini Story, Word Challenge, Word Prompt, Wordle, Writing Prompts

Better Days

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for MLMM Monday Wordle;
the prompt words are shown below.
Here’s where the prompt took me.

attire – pair – tired – old – scratch – shine –
sunlight – stool – faded – patch – elegant – time

Image by me & Copilot

The vintage Chickering had seen better days. Its once-elegant finish had faded long ago …. each scratch and worn patch a scar from another decade. Yet something in its tired frame still held a quiet dignity …. the way a seasoned woman in elegant attire commands a room simply by existing.

Emily approached the piano, pausing to admire the glow of the late afternoon sun. The beams fell across the keys like spotlights, making the ivory shine just enough to remember what it once was. Slipping on a pair of eyeglasses, she lowered herself onto the padded stool … its needlework as faded as her memories …. and let her fingers find their familiar places.

She hadn’t played in years; time had a way of stealing such things.

But from the very first note, the old instrument answered her, its voice deeper and rougher than before, but honest …. sounds that couldn’t be faked or polished back into youth.

Outside, beyond the lace curtains, the garden stirred.

Emily closed her eyes. The sunlight warmed her hands.

Some things, she thought, only get more beautiful with age.

NAR©2026
#MLMM
#Wordle

This is “That Old Piano” by Tom Jones

MLMM Monday Wordle #475

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

29 thoughts on “Better Days”

  5. Nancy,

    I spotted your comment on Clive’s blog which made me curious and I’m glad I followed my instincts to pop in on you. This is a beautifully written post. I love the image and the music! I invite you to join me on Monday’s Music Moves Me dance floor anytime. Clive chooses to link up on Tuesdays each week. Don’t shy away, all music is welcome! 😉 Have a boogietastic week, m’dear!

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  8. I can so relate to this Nancy. Some of the pianos I’ve played in the past have a certain ‘feel’ to the keys, and the music just flows from my fingers. I don’t play as much as I’d like, but I would love to play a piano like this.
    Thanks for taking part.

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    1. Di, I’m so glad the story resonated with you. Since my injury, I haven’t been able to play and I find myself writing more about pianos. I totally understand how you feel. I hope eventually we can both get into playing again. Working with these Wordles is great fun. Thanks so much! 😌

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      1. Thanks Nancy. I always wanted to own a baby grand, but never had the room for one. I’ve played one and would love to play a concert grand. The cottage had good accoustics for my music and one day a lady walked by going towards the bus stop. She slowed down. and walked back, turned and then probably caught her bus. A few days later she was walking by again, turned, and then came back with a friend. Hubby went outside and asked if everything was OK. She said she was listening to the music so Hubby invited them in. They got a bit flustered and declined, saying they’d rather listen from outside if that was OK as it was so unusual to hear ‘real music’ rather than a blaring radio.
        Glad you’re enjoying the wordles. They were always a favourite.

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