You might have heard my story, but not my name. That’s because my parents were too busy with the family trade in order to ponder upon such a tiny detail. And I don’t blame them one bit. Actually, I do plan to do the same. Does our calling rest within vowels or within our essence?

Speaking of story, I suspect you know the one-sided version of it. Because ants are more willing to give interviews, due to their observable lack of hobbies. And you know how boredom leads to the amplification of each situation or exchange of words. Yes, I did ask for a little grain one time, but it was just once! That could happen to anyone and she was my neighbor. I heard humans borrow sugar and other such essentials from each other all the time. Did she really have to build a whole fable on that shaky foundation?

Moreover, I am not lazy. I can say that with certainty. Would a lazy individual travel the lands in order to find the slickest string for its instrument? Or chase the mellow breeze each day in order to occupy the perfect slot to play its tunes? Remain awake in the obscurity of the night to bathe the sleeper’s dreams in silkiness and peace? No, my dears, I am certainty not lazy. I am passionate.

I care about my craft more than I do about my well-being. I do know that is not a healthy choice, but how often do you see real and raw artists lead a proverbial life? I am aware of what I am sacrificing and I don’t regret it. I’m not putting it on someone else either. And I confess, I am quite fed up with mindless generalizations, just because the context demands it. Many more cases exist, I am not the only one, naturally. For example, I have heard about a wise sloth whose answer came a little bit late, so everyone started calling her slow. She might be in movements but not in thoughts! These labels get so stuck to your existence, when they come off they take half your skin with them.

Maybe I made a mistake asking for help that one time. Or maybe I just asked the wrong critter, given that she was my exact opposite. But still, why is everyone so quick to judge someone’s entire existence based on superficial information? I don’t ask for compensation when I sing. It’s not that I do it for a living, I simply live in order to do it. The payment comes in the form of my being able to perform and to express myself.

However, the gentle creatures that happen to be in my vicinity during the warm seasons appreciate my art. They usually offer me supper, beverages or a lair to rest in. You might ask yourself what about autumn or winter? Surely you can’t just keep on playing outside. And you would be very right. I don’t even want to think about my strings in certain climates. During the cold seasons, I usually travel light and stop wherever I see fireflies lighting up underground burrows. You can’t really spot them if you don’t know they are there. It shares the same kind of logic as magic, if you believe it exists, it will.

I knock on their doors, for these burrows are mainly welcoming bars or ornate restaurants. If they think they would enjoy my musical services, they let me in and offer me accommodation. If not, I continue my journey until I reach a new destination.

Alas, I am only a critter. Even if this is my usual routine and I am fond of it, moments appear when I lose myself and forget my priorities. That is why, one frosty night, struck by hunger and exhaustion, I stumbled upon the ant’s home. Now, I don’t want to reiterate the whole story again. I’m certainly not trying to appear as the victim here. I did disturb her slumber and put her in an awkward position. She is not a bad insect or a lousy neighbor. She just has her prejudices that helped her survive it all. Would it have been better if she was naïve and overly-eager? If she had opened the door to absolutely anyone asking for shelter and food? Of course not! That’s just silly and dangerous.

I merely wanted to point out that not all stories need villains and heroes. However, they all would benefit from perspective. From trying to uncover all the angles, all the details lying underneath. The world is already a dark place sometimes, why spread more shadow across it?

You might have noticed my shift in tone. I was frustrated indeed, I must confess. And I mistakenly took it out on Ms. Ant (or Mrs., I have no idea, nor do I know her name. My manners are maybe not the best). I was simply feeling that way, she simply happened to be there, in the way of my venomous words. The truth is, I have no idea what she told the interviewers. Maybe the story became twisted along the way. Even if I know what they think about me is not true, sometimes I can’t help but let it get under my skin (my exterior armor-like casing, to be more exact). I did see her again one time, in a grasshopper’s market. We acknowledged each other and none of us bore any look of resentment in our eyes. They were filled with words we wanted to say to each other, if one of us had the courage to open up first. I hope we will be able to meet up for tea someday. 

As I am nearing the end of my story, I want to remind every artist out there that you are doing a great service to the world. Even if the world doesn’t understand you, it deeply needs you. What would summer nights be, out on the terrace drinking tea and playing cards, without an enthusiastic cricket singing in the distance? Honestly, who wants to hear their thoughts on hot July nights? What would gatherings be with no dancing around the fire? Sunsets that can’t be captured on canvas or film, sunsets that can’t make anyone else happy except for the person who happened to be exactly there, exactly at the right moment?

Never think your art is a burden on the world. No matter the whispers, or the highly-inaccurate French fables (maybe the language barrier was the problem?). If you’re passionate and in love with what you do, everything will eventually align. For example, the Sun’s boyfriend gets rather annoyed at the sound of crickets when he is trying to sleep. But I still got this interview, haven’t I?

So my advice for you? Keep doing what you do and do not look up your name anywhere in the media.