Synopsis:
Eleven-year-old Cynthia is completely frustrated. She just cannot play the latest piece of cello music her teacher Mr. Byrd has given her, no matter how hard she practices. Hoping to never hear another note in her life, she falls asleep at the bus stop. NILUS THE SANDMAN joins her and agrees to help Cynthia enjoy all the pleasures that cello practice interfered with, like going to see movies, or playing in the amusement park. However, Beaumont and Standley, Cynthia's bow and music stand, come to life and refuse to be left behind. Determined to enjoy herself, Cynthia ignores them, but finds that movies and merry-go-rounds are boring without music. Even the birds have no song and every note has disappeared from the music sheets. Seriously worried, the group goes in search of Mr. Noteworthy, who has all the notes in his protective custody. Cynthia pleads for the return of all the music, but when Mr. Noteworthy insists she play a special piece on her cello to prove how much it matters in her life, things look hopeless -- it's the same piece she could not master in class.