{"id":615,"date":"2026-08-17T17:07:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=615"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:13:16","slug":"the-gift-that-wasnt-owed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=615","title":{"rendered":"The Gift That Wasn&#8217;t Owed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tales from the Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moral Dilemma:<\/strong> If someone possesses a rare ability that could produce extraordinary beauty or benefit others, do they have an obligation to develop it\u2014or does their life remain theirs even if choosing an ordinary life means the gift is lost?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Master Oren heard the mistake from the hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stopped walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside the practice room, someone was playing the old concert piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Poorly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very poorly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wrong tempo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Uneven rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several notes struck with the confidence of someone who had no idea they were incorrect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then came the mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren opened the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A boy sat at the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps eleven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPlay that again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The boy looked terrified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wasn&#8217;t supposed to touch it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe last six notes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t know what I played.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes, you do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPlay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The boy did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then it happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One note changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren felt the hair on his arms rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The boy played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren closed the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho teaches you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNobody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is offensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had no idea what he meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mistake was not a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had altered the chord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not randomly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had resolved a tension in a composition written three hundred years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A passage scholars had argued about for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren had spent six years studying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had heard it once and changed one note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The change was better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren hated him immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then loved him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then decided to teach him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All within approximately thirty seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell&#8217;s mother cleaned the conservatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She laughed when Oren approached her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy son?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMusic?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe can&#8217;t sit still for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe forgets his shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe once tried to dry a wet cat in the bread oven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid the cat survive?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen I continue not to care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lessons began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell learned frighteningly quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Things that took students months took him days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Things that took years took months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He heard patterns other people could not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He could reproduce melodies after hearing them once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then alter them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Improve them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Break them apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rebuild them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At thirteen, Pell wrote a short piece that made Oren cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren did not tell him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teachers must maintain standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At fourteen, Pell said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI want to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStop what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLessons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cForever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t like them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t like scales.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEveryone hates scales.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t like piano.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren felt something inside him refuse the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou love piano.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have watched you play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI like making things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMusic is one thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI like other things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat things?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell brightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBoats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren nearly became ill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBoats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou want to abandon music for boats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI like building them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou are fourteen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou have no idea what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat doesn&#8217;t mean you do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren spoke to Pell&#8217;s mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf he wants boats, let him build boats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren stared at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you understand what he can do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe plays beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is not what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen what do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren struggled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe may be one of the finest musical minds alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell&#8217;s mother nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren almost shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He increased Pell&#8217;s lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four days a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell resisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren interpreted resistance as immaturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is an extremely useful interpretation when you want permission to ignore someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At fifteen, Pell won the Royal Young Composer&#8217;s Prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The audience stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren cried openly this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell bowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Backstage, Oren embraced him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou see?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stood stiffly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSee what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The applause was still audible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat you&#8217;re capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked toward the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then at Oren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI hated every minute.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren released him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t mean that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was no humor in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou always say that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhenever I tell you something you don&#8217;t want to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stopped attending lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren went to his house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell refused to come downstairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren shouted up the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou are throwing away something people would kill to have!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell shouted back:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTHEN GIVE IT TO THEM!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren left furious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the walk home, he found a small pouch on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purple cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Silver cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He picked it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside was shimmering powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A label read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FANCY DUST<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Underneath, in smaller writing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Makes ordinary things seem extremely important.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then laughed despite himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He put the pouch in his pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years afterward he insisted it had nothing to do with what happened next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nobody believed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren arranged for Pell to perform before the Queen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without asking him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was, in Oren&#8217;s mind, decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nobody turned down the Queen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The conservatory threatened to revoke his scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His mother became worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe play once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She sat beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI just don&#8217;t want you to regret closing doors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell softened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCould you keep one open?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had no answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One last time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The royal hall was full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren stood backstage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell walked onto the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Placed his hands on the keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For nearly a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The audience shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren&#8217;s heart pounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Pell played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not the assigned composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost childish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A melody repeated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Changed again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren recognized sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hammer against wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saw through timber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water against a hull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rope pulled tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A boat being built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had turned the thing he wanted into music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was magnificent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When he finished, the Queen stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell did not bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He closed the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then walked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren found him outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could be great.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That stopped Oren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>I don&#8217;t care.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>You&#8217;re wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren suddenly understood the shape of what he had done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had believed Pell did not understand the value of his gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps Pell understood perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps knowing something was valuable did not automatically mean surrendering your life to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could write music people remember for centuries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd you&#8217;re going to build boats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI like boats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It remained an infuriating answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was also complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell left the conservatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He became a boatbuilder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A very good one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not legendary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His boats floated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mostly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One sank during testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nobody died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell considered this educational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years, Oren waited for regret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell would return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Surely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At twenty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twenty-five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thirty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wasted genius would realize what he had abandoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, Pell married.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Had children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Built boats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Played piano occasionally at taverns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Badly, sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deliberately, Oren suspected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then something strange happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other students began leaving Oren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A violinist became a physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A composer became a baker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One extraordinary singer decided she preferred teaching children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren initially experienced each departure as a small death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he began asking a different question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat could you become?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat do you want this gift to be for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some still chose greatness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren worked them mercilessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction changed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decades later, Pell built Oren a small boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren was seventy-eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t sail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou do now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis seems unsafe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt probably is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They took it onto the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren sat rigidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou taught me piano when I was eleven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can learn this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was a better student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou absolutely were not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the middle of the lake, Pell handed Oren the tiller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The old teacher held it badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The boat turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wind caught the sail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a moment they moved quickly across the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked delighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI still think you should have stayed with music,\u201d Oren said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cForty years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI said <em>think.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cProgress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou were extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou might have changed music.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren looked across the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoesn&#8217;t that bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell adjusted the sail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wonder what would have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you regret it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren felt a terrible little satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Pell continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI also wonder what would have happened if I&#8217;d never built boats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The satisfaction disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you regret that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou keep expecting the unlived life to stop existing just because I chose one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They sailed quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a while, Oren reached into his coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He still carried the pouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Old habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The label had nearly worn away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FANCY DUST.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou still have that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know what this is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEveryone knows what that is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI found it the year you quit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed so hard the boat tilted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren grabbed the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStop!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou had Fancy Dust?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cApparently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd you spent six months telling everyone my piano talent was the most important thing in the world?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was extremely important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren considered throwing him overboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually the boat steadied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren looked at the pouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then opened it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The powder glittered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He poured it into the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stopped laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWas that wise?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dust spread across the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For several seconds, the entire lake glittered absurdly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both men stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then the wind scattered it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren handed Pell the tiller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour life was yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI should have understood that sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could pretend this is difficult for you to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oren smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTerrible student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTerrible teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They sailed home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Behind them, the last specks of Fancy Dust disappeared into perfectly ordinary water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If someone possesses a rare ability that could produce extraordinary beauty or benefit others, do they have an obligation to develop it\u2014or does their life remain theirs even if choosing an ordinary life means the gift is lost? Master Oren heard the mistake from the hallway. He stopped walking. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tales-from-the-universe"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Gift That Wasn&#039;t Owed - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=615\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Gift That Wasn&#039;t Owed - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If someone possesses a rare ability that could produce extraordinary beauty or benefit others, do they have an obligation to develop it\u2014or does their life remain theirs even if choosing an ordinary life means the gift is lost? Master Oren heard the mistake from the hallway. He stopped walking. 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