In fact, he had memorized his solo weeks before the night of his performance because he had thought that doing so would help.

Waiting backstage, John was nervous about having to perform a solo in front of so many people at the annual music night at his school.

He had practiced for days on end, trying to play the music as perfectly as he could.

Feeling jittery, John stepped unsteadily onto the stage and into the glaring lights to brave a sea of faces in the audience.