Words unsaid and life unlived

In Alan Yang’s ‘Tigertail’, we see how the life of a joyful Taiwanese kid takes an unfortunate turn as he goes to the US to make ends meet.

Imagine this: a distant father sits in the audience, observing his daughter play the piano on stage. Hundreds of spectators watch as the young girl’s fingertips create beautiful melodies. After an entertaining performance, she forgets her practised routine, staring at the piano in shock. Her father exchanges a glance with his wife and shakes his head. The daughter regains composure and manages to finish, but her father remains seated while the rest of the audience applauds.