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instruments, I thought I was in heaven. Of course,
I’ve never been there, but that’s what it seemed like.
    I was curious about another instrument that was shaped like a bamboo pole, hollow
inside except for seeds. When turned upside down, it sounded like rain falling. It
also had another use. When they were pounded on the wooden stage to a certain beat,
they sounded like an army battalion marching.
    “These musicians are always creating new instruments,” said Andron. “We never know
what they might bring to the next celebration.”
    I thanked the musicians for sharing and taking time with me. I shook hands with them
all. I don’t know if that’s their custom, but they seemed pleased.
    “They really make me feel special,” I said to Andron, “even though I’m only eleven.
I know I’m just a normal person, but they make me feel like I’m some kind of dignitary
or something.”
    “They like you,” said Andron. “And you’re from another planet. They’re glad you’re
here for our celebration.”
    “Speaking of celebration,” I said, “what exactly are we celebrating?”
    “Well, we celebrate our Creator, first of all, because He made life on this planet
possible. Then we celebrate life in general, family and friends, and just being able
to enjoy each other like this. Does that make sense?”
    “Sure,” I said. “On our planet, it seems like we do more competing than celebrating.”
I had another question too.
    “Yes,” said Andron, without waiting for me to state my question. “Though we celebrate
our Creator, that’s still different from our worship. You’ll see.” Then he said
no more and smiled his smile.
    I realized that their celebration and worship were things not to be described with
words but experienced. That whole concept of what he was thinking popped into my
head the moment he smiled. Am I beginning to read minds in this atmosphere? I wondered.
    “Perhaps,” said Andron. “Perhaps.”
    This whole mind communication thing seemed really weird. I suppose it could save
a lot of time in the long run, but I still liked expressing myself aloud sometimes.
    “I’ll never forget the sounds I’ve heard this afternoon,” I told Andron. “I’m looking
forward to hearing more tonight.” I wish I could have recorded it, but I had no idea
what their celebration would be like. I did know there would be good music and plenty
of food. The food alone was enough to spur me on.

Chapter 8
    I JOIN IN THE DANCE
    A NDRON MOTIONED FOR me to follow him to the center of the field where the Kandalaureans
had begun their dancing. We didn’t enter in, and I was glad because I just wanted
to watch. Children were dancing right along with their parents. It was all about
family and fun. Almost all their dances were done as a group not as individuals or
couples.
    First they formed two long lines facing each other, sort of like our line dancing
at home, but their moves are different. Then they broke into circles facing each
other and holding hands. Sometimes they would come together in the center with hands
raised and shout a loud shout. Then they would all laugh. I don’t know what they
were saying because they only translated when they were speaking to me directly.
    Almost all their dancing was done in formations. It reminded me of our marching bands
during halftime. If I had been riding in a helicopter over the field, it might have
looked like a kaleidoscope with shifting shapes and colors.
    At one point the women and girls formed a huge outer circle, and the men and boys
formed an inner circle. The ones in the inner circle began squatting and kicking
out one leg or the other.
    “We borrowed that from your Russians,” said Andron.
    “This must have taken hours of practice,” I said.
    “No,” said Andron. “It’s all spontaneous.”
    “What?” I responded. “How can that be?”
    “Someone will step up as a leader for each dance. They all know his thoughts, so
they dance in formation. If it’s a