Nina sits at the kitchen table, swinging her legs and making a symphony of silly sounds: whistles, pops, and honks, all blending together. Her mother, apron dusted with flour, glances over with a mix of amusement and exasperation. The walls seem to vibrate with every new noise, as if the house itself were joining in the fun.
"Boing! Woooo! Splat! Did you hear that one, Mama?"
Mama, her voice gentle but tired, replies "Nina, sweetheart, could you please keep it down? The neighbors might think we're raising a marching band."
Nina tries to stifle her noises, but her cheeks puff up and out comes a wild "Whoo-whaa-wheee!" Sam, a classmate with tightly braided hair, rolls her eyes and whispers to Max, who covers his ears. The air feels thick with embarrassment, and Nina’s joy starts to fade.
"Why can’t she just be quiet for once?"
"I...I just like making noises," Nina mutters, her smile wavering.
The classroom clock ticks loudly, louder than Nina’s silence. She wants so badly to let out her favorite squeaky giggle, but remembers the looks from earlier. She sighs, feeling as if a storm is brewing inside her, desperate to burst out.
Panic erupts among the students. Nina feels her heart pound, but amid the chaos, she notices that no one’s cries can be heard in the noisy hallway. The teacher tries the window, but it’s stuck. Nina looks around, determination replacing her fear.
"Woooooooo-RAAAAAA-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!"
Her classmates stare in awe as the sound carries through the smoke and out into the corridor, catching the ear of a passing janitor. Within moments, help arrives, and the door is thrown open. Everyone rushes to safety.
"That was amazing, Nina! Your noises saved us all,"
"I guess being noisy isn't so bad after all," Nina beams, her voice ringing out with joy. The children cheer, and for the first time, Nina feels truly proud of every funny, wonderful sound she makes.
