"Now that THAT's settled..." Misty began as she finished emptying out the last of the water from the bathtub/swimming pool incident.
"We need to think of something that will keep Ami and the other Pokemon entertained so they won't get into trouble." Ash interjected. "I mean, half the silverware's gotten broke, the bathroom's been flooded..."
"Twice..." Brock sighed, trying not to remember the sink incident from the day before.
"So, what do you have in mind?" Ash wondered.
Misty thought for a moment, then replied "We could all gather in the living room and sing songs..."
"Yeah!" Ash agreed. "Brock could play his guitar too!"
"And since they'll all be singing...there will be no possible way they could get in trouble!" Misty smiled, pleased with herself. "Come on...Ami would probably enjoy hearing you sing, Brock."
"Okay, let me go get ready..." and Brock led the way out...
---------
"Azuri?" Ami asked, curious as Misty brought her into the living room.
"We're going to sing songs for a while!" Misty cooed as she settled in on the couch. Ash sat nearby in an easy chair, and Brock sat in a chair facing the others, hard at work tuning a beautiful deep brown guitar.
"Ril ri?" Ami asked, pointing at the guitar.
"That's called a guitar, Ami..." Ash explained. "What Brock does is pluck the strings with one hand, and puts his other hand in different positions to make the different notes...but before he can play, he has to be sure all the strings sound just right."
"Ri?" Ami was confused.
"If one of the strings sounded wrong, Brock won't sound very pretty, and if he doesn't sound pretty, not too many people will want to listen to him." Misty explained. "And you want Brock to make lots and lots of pretty music, don't you?"
"Azu!" Ami chirped excitedly.
"Okay...I'm ready." Brock assured everyone. With that, he started to play a soothing melody...
This old guitar, taught me to sing a love song.... he sang.
It showed me how to laugh, and how to cry...
It introduced me to some friends of mine, brightened up some days...
It helped me make it through some lonely nights, oh...
What a friend I have, on a cold and lonely night...
This old guitar, gave me my lovely lady... Brock continued, longingly looking at a picture of Professor Ivy on the mantel.
It opened up her eyes and ears to me...yes it did...
It brought us close together, I guess it broke her heart...
But, it opened up the space for us to be, e-he-e...
What a lovely place, a lovely space to be...
This old guitar, gave me my life, my living...
And all the things you know I love to do...
To serenade the stars that shine from a sunny mountainside...
But, most of all... Brock turned and smiled at Ami. to sing my songs for you...ooh-hoo-ooh...
I love to sing my songs for you, yes I do, oh...
I love to sing my songs...for you...
Hmm....
Ooh-hoo-di-di, ooh-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo...
Oh...oo-oh...
Hmm...
Brock continued to play for a little longer, then gave the strings one last slow strum, ending the song.
"Azuriiiii!" Ami cheered, enthusiastically applauding.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed, leading the applause.
"Azuri ril azu!" Ami begged.
"Play something with a beat?" Brock asked. "Okay..." He snapped a few times before starting a jazzy blues riff.
"Oh yeah!" Ash leapt up from his chair and began to dance to the song. Ami, however, was more fascinated in watching Brock's fingers dance up and down the guitar fingerboard than Ash's stomping and jumping.
"Yeah!" Brock cried when he finished the song. "Okay...this next song requires some audience participation..." he began as Ash moved his chair close by. "Ash will show you what to do, and you imitate what he does, okay?"
"Rill!" Ami replied. The other Pokemon nodded.
"Here we go..." and Brock started a rollicking rhythm...
One finger alone, keep moving... Ash held up a finger.
One finger alone, keep moving...
One finger alone, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
One finger, one thumb, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, then stuck out a thumb.
One finger, one thumb, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
One finger, one thumb, one arm, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, then cocked his arm.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, and kicked out his right leg.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, keep moving... Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, kicked out his right leg, and gave a quick nod.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
"Now comes my favorite part!" Brock interjected. He then sang "One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, keep moving... All the Pokemon howled with laughter and tried to keep up as Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, kicked out his right leg, gave a quick nod, then quickly stood up and sat back down.
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, keep moving...
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
One finger one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, stick out your tongue, keep moving... Even more laughter ensued as Ash held up a finger, stuck out a thumb, cocked his arm, kicked out his right leg, gave a quick nod, quickly stood up and sat back down, and stuck out his tongue.
One finger one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, stick out your tongue, keep moving...
One finger one thumb, one arm, one leg, and nod your head, stand up, sit down, stick out your tongue, keep moving...
We'll all be merry and bright!
"Okay...now comes the real fun!" Brock announced. "Ash has shown you what to do, now it's your turn to copy the movement as Ash and I sing the song. However...you need to be listening for me to do this..." and Brock gradually got louder for three beats. "When I do that, we'll all sing the 'We'll all be merry and bright' part and end the song, regardless of what movement you're on, okay?" The Pokemon nodded, indicating they understood.
"Hear that? When the music gets louder, the song's over, okay?" Misty explained to Ami.
"Are you guys ready?" Ash called. The Pokemon cheered in agreement.
"Here we go!" and Brock began the song again. "One finger alone, keep moving...
"One finger alone, keep moving... Ash echoed as he led the other Pokemon, Misty and Ami. The room soon turned into a flurry of words, music and activity as the group moved their way throught the song.
After several rousing renditions, the music gradually got louder...
WE'LL ALL BE MERRY AND BRIIIIIGHT!!!!' the group sang one last time.
"Azu ri!" Ami giggled as the others applauded.
"Ami says she wants to do it again!" Misty called.
"We'll do it again some other time, okay?" Brock assured Ami as he began another song...
Day 2: Evening
"Whew...that song session was fun!" Ash smiled as he tucked Ami in for the night.
"Tomorrow..." Brock explained, getting Misty and Ash's attention. "We're going to go out to the park and have a picnic!"
Misty smiled down at Ami. "Hear that? We're going to the park tomorrow! Won't that be fun?"
"Azu azu azuri!" Ami replied, holding out a finger and sticking out a thumb to illustrate her point.
"I think she likes the 'one finger, one thumb' song..." Ash whispered to Brock as he switched off the light...