The Ageless Pianist🔊

In the heart of Berlin, just a whisper away from the famous Brandenburg Gate, stood a grand old establishment named 'Zauberhaft'. This majestic venue was known for two things- its exotic German beers and the agelessly mysterious pianist, Johann.

Born in 1800, Johann Schnell had always been threaded with the magic of music. As legend has it, the moment he first played a note on his father’s old, weather-beaten piano, a peculiar event occurred. Every candle in the room flickered in rhythm with his tune. It was an inexplicable phenomenon, and thus began the story of Johann, the ageless pianist.

When death claimed his parents, Johann was left destitute at the tender age of twelve. Penniless and hungry, he was taken in as an apprentice by a middle-aged tavern owner, Hans Zimmerman. Noticing his fondness for the old piano standing in one corner of the tavern, Hans allowed him to play for patrons in the evening. This drew an incredible crowd, resulting in a flourishing business.

Tales of the magical piano melodies played by a young boy in a humble tavern soon reached every corner of Berlin. Johann was merely twelve winters old then, but his music echoed the wisdom and melancholy of a man thrice his age. His dedicated patrons were not surprised when Johann aged, yet his reverence for music remained unchangeable; but eyes grew wide in disbelief as years turned into decades and he remained untouched by time. Johann was trapped in a time loop, growing to be a mystery in himself.

Nobody had an explanation for the phenomenon, but the legend of the ageless pianist woven around with mesmerizing tales of his enchanting performances was passed down through generations. The townsfolk considered him a dear friend, an ancient soul who survived wars, conquests, and revolutions, his music a piece of unwavering reality in a rapidly changing world. He became a legend, etching his story into the heart of Berlin, binding the town in a timeless symphony.

When Hans passed away, he left the 'Zauberhaft' to Johann. It was the least he could do for the boy who had brought his humble establishment such fame, he had said. A century later, 'Zauberhaft' stood there as grand as ever, echoing the music of yearning and love that Johann continued to play, weaving an everlasting spell on its patrons.

If anyone ever asked Johann about his age-defying secret, he would smile his ever so mysterious smile, his fingers dancing along the piano keys in rhythm with his heartbeat. 'Music,’ he’d whisper, ‘the timeless language that speaks to every soul no matter its age.'. His eyes would then glaze over, lost in the mesmerizing world he created with his melodies.

The night before the Brandenburg Gate was commemorated in 1891, 'Zauberhaft' was bustling more than usual. Johann played his signature song, ‘The Desolate Bridge’, which told a thousand stories of his life. When the last note echoed through the room, the applause that erupted was momentous. Looking at the crowd of adoring faces, Johann felt a surge of love he had not indulged in since his parents' passing.

But alongside this affection came a realization. With a heavy heart and a soulful melody, he decided the following day would be his last performance. On the monumental day, the tavern was overflowing. People hung out the window, stood on barrels, all eager to pay their respects to the ageless pianist.

Johann played like he never had before, his melody resonating with the pain of goodbyes and the sweet sorrow of endings. As the final note rang through the expectant air, an audible gasp echoed through the room. Johann had finally aged! His smooth skin was lined and weathered, a sparkle once present in his youthful eyes had dimmed. As Johann rose to thank his audience, he found himself feeling weaker than ever. He leaned heavily on the grand piano that had seen him through centuries.

That night, the ageless pianist breathed his last, his body frail, yet his soul dancing with the rhythm of music. The legend, however immemorial, had finally found an end. And though 'Zauberhaft' remained standing, its heart- Johann’s music- stopped beating.

Yet every night, when silence crept across the streets of Berlin, careful listeners claimed they still heard the hauntingly beautiful tunes from the grand old tavern, keeping spirit of 'the ageless pianist' alive for all eternity.