Here’s a funny and light-hearted story about the famous pianist Lang Lang:

When Lang Lang was a young boy, around the age of 9, he was preparing for a big piano competition in China. He was extremely nervous, as any young pianist would be before a major performance. However, his nerves didn’t come from stage fright or the pressure of the competition itself. It came from something much more unexpected—his own pet parrot!

Lang Lang had been practicing nonstop for weeks and, in the midst of his intense preparation, his parrot would sit on his shoulder while he played. The bird, perhaps thinking it was part of the performance, would squawk loudly and flap its wings as Lang Lang was practicing delicate, intricate passages. Of course, this would throw him off, and instead of just focusing on his music, Lang Lang found himself trying to shush the parrot while maintaining his concentration.

On the day of the competition, as Lang Lang took to the stage, the nerves kicked in again—but this time, it was the memory of his pet parrot’s constant "assistance" during his practice that gave him a little chuckle. According to Lang Lang himself, he was reminded that no matter what happened, there was always a possibility that something unexpected (like a parrot’s squawk) could make him laugh and lighten the mood.

Though the parrot didn’t accompany him to the competition, Lang Lang always fondly remembers that time as one of the many funny and memorable moments from his musical journey..