world cultures · Ages 6-8

The Bagpipes Were Louder Than the Rain

At a Scottish parade, a child learns how bagpipes, kilts, and marching can help a community remember its music and stories.

The whole story

1. On Saturday morning, Isla tightened the strap of her little drum. The village parade would begin at noon, rain or shine.

2. Drip, drip, drip went the rain. Tap, tap, tap went Isla’s drum. But the wet skin made only a tiny plop.

3. Isla lowered her drum. “How can a parade remember its songs if nobody can hear me?” she wondered.

4. Inside the hall, Ewan Fraser polished his bagpipes. He wore a red tartan kilt, and his silver beard wiggled when he smiled.

5. “Bagpipes are not quiet instruments,” Ewan said. “That is useful when the rain is being especially chatty.”

6. Ewan told Isla that the parade began with an old tune from the village hills. Families had marched to it for many years.

7. Isla tried again. Ewan played a deep note. The drummers answered, and the whole hall filled with a proud, bouncy beat.

8. At noon, the rain was still falling. Isla lifted her drum, and the parade stepped into the street.

9. The rain drummed on rooftops. Isla drummed back. Then Ewan’s bagpipes boomed louder than the rain.

10. The beat led everyone onward. Feet splashed, kilts swayed, and old stories rose in the music.

11. Between the tunes, Ewan told Isla about fishermen, hill walkers, and dancers who had carried the music before them.

12. Isla marched home with the music still ringing in her ears. Bagpipes, kilts, and marching had helped the whole community remember its music and stories.

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