In which a young bear meets a young bunny rabbit.
For an album view of the story, please click the first image. Please note the links to the soundtracks.
Once upon a time, there was a little bear named Franz. Franz lived with his mother bear and his father bear. Franz loved the piano. 
Everyday, when his mother and father left the house to train for their automobile races, Franz crept outside. He went into the garden, where he had hidden his piano.. 
And he secretly played the piano. He composed new pieces. One day, he heard a faint but lovely soprano voice singing along to his new composition.
Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja5hQH9USIU
Franz went looking for the source of the voice. I’m so sorry, said a little voice. I’ll go away. I won’t bother you. 
No, no, said Franz. Please stay. My name is Franz, said Franz. My name is Maria said the little soprano. Please play some more. 
Franz went back to play. Maria started to sing. And then, from far away, they heard a roar.
Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bacYGMddRkc
Oh no, said Franz. That’s my mother and my father. They’re coming in their race car. I must hide my piano. 
They think I should exercise, said Franz. But I don’t like to exercise. In school, when we play games I’m always picked last. 
I’m always picked last too, said Maria. But she didn’t really believe Franz. His legs looked so very strong. Quick, let’s pretend to play football, said Franz. 
Mother bear and father bear came roaring up in their race car. Hello, said Franz. We’re glad to see you exercising, said mother bear. 
I found a friend to play football with, said Franz. She’s extremely athletic. 
Delightful, said mother bear. Please introduce her to us. 
Come Maria, said Franz. Please let me introduce you to mother bear and father bear. 
I’m delighted to meet you, said Maria. Your son is such a talented bear. Tackle him while you can, said mother bear. She let out the clutch, and roared off. 
Franz went back to play. Maria began to sing. But Franz couldn’t think about the music. He could only think about Maria’s beautiful voice. And beautiful eyes. 
Maria couldn’t think about her singing either. She could only think about what ethereal music this extraordinarily handsome bear had composed. Suddenly, they heard Franz’ cell phone ringing. 
Franz ran to his cell phone. He picked up the receiver. Maria could not hear what he said. He seemed very happy. But he also seemed very sad 
Maria, he said. Let’s go somewhere that we can talk privately. I know a good place, said Maria. 
Maria treated Franz to a dip of Choco choco truffle. While they licked the ice cream, she asked Franz what the phone call was about. Oh Maria, let’s go to the harbor, said Franz. 
I’ve been admitted to the Conservatoire de Paris. It was my dream. Until today, when I met you. Oh Maria, said Franz. Oh Franz, said Maria. They looked into each other’s eyes. They watched the boats set sail for France. 
Late at night, from the attic of a garret on the banks of the Seine, piano sonatas wafted through the streets. In between the movements — if one listened carefully enough — one could hear tear drops fall upon a keyboard.
Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzctAXbOalM
And on moonlit nights in the great forest, one could hear a faint, and lovely soprano. Between sniffles, the soprano followed the same lines as the piano along the Seine. In tandem, they switched keys. In tandem, they faded into pianissimo. And in tandem, they went slower, and slower, and slower. The football gathered dust. And the race car raced on.
Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDQj7j-xogM
Sophie Wore Blue 