Out of Step
1Cosmo played the snare drum in the Ashgrove School band. This spring, the band was learning to march while it played. On the first day of practice, Mr. Hartwell blew his whistle. "Fall in line, everyone!" he called. The players hurried to stand in three straight rows on the blacktop.
2Marching was harder than it looked. Mr. Hartwell told the players to step with the left foot first, but Cosmo kept starting with his right. He was out of step the whole morning. His feet went one way while everyone else's feet went the other way.
3At lunch, Cosmo's friend Ingrid tooted her own horn. Ingrid played the cymbals, not a horn. "I never miss a step, and I'm the best marcher in the whole band!" she bragged. Cosmo rolled his eyes and kept eating his sandwich.
4That afternoon, Ingrid was busy waving at her little brother instead of watching her feet. She marched right into the tuba player! Now Ingrid had to face the music. Mr. Hartwell asked her to sit on the bench and watch for the rest of practice.
5On Thursday, dark clouds rolled in. "We may have to play it by ear tomorrow," Mr. Hartwell said. "If it rains, we will practice in the gym. If it is sunny, we will march outside."
6On Friday, the sun came out, and every foot in the band moved together. Cosmo did not miss a single step. When practice ended, Mr. Hartwell put down his whistle and said, "You are all ready for Family Night." Cosmo grinned. "That is music to my ears!" he said.