In the middle of the big train station stood an old piano with a sign on top: "Please play." During the morning rush, thousands of people hurried past it without looking. Then a small boy climbed onto the stool and picked out a simple tune with one finger. A few commuters smiled, but nobody stopped.
Then a woman in a long coat put down her bag and sat next to him. She began to play a slow, beautiful piece, and the noise of the station seemed to fade. A man with a briefcase stopped, took off his coat, and joined in with some jazz chords. A street musician took out his violin and added a melody. Even a guard started tapping his foot.
When the rush was over, the musicians played one last chord together. They did not say a word. They just nodded to each other and walked away in different directions. Later, a cleaner stopped by the piano and left a small note on the music stand. It said, "Thank you."