"Noah," said his mother as she stood in the door way of his bedroom. "It's time to wake up! It's the day of the big concert! The whole family is so excited to see you sing your solo!"

Noah woke up with a frown as his mother closed his bedroom door. He was not excited about the big concert today. He didn't get any sleep last night.

He let out a big yawn, got up from his bed, and went into his bathroom to get ready for school.

When Noah arrived at school, his nerves did not get any better! All people seemed to be talking about was the concert, and worse everyone they invited to see it.

Sally asked her uncle and five cousins. Brendan asked his grandparents and their neighbors. Ella asked her entire girl scout troop.

Noah's stomach was in knots, and by the time he got to lunch, he couldn't even eat!

Things only got worse when Noah got to music class. Ms. Crabtree wanted to go over the entire program, and Noah had to open up the rehearsal with his solo.

Noah stepped up to the microphone and looked out at the teachers and other kids that were waiting for him to sing. Some smiled, some looked excited, and Noah felt as if he would throw up.

The music began to play, and Noah took a deep breath before he was going to sing on stage. When he opened up his mouth to sing, however, nothing came out!

Embarrassed, Noah ran off the stage and into the music room where he began to cry.

"I knew I shouldn't have done this," Noah says to himself as he sits in the empty classroom.

"Noah?" calls Ms. Crabtree as she comes into the classroom and sees him sitting alone. "What is going on? Why did you run off?"

Noah looks at his teacher with a sad expression and then begins to cry harder than he was already. "I can't do this, Ms. Crabtree! Everyone is going to laugh at me. I can't do the solo anymore." Noah turned and faced the wall, as Ms. Crabtree came closer to talk to him.