1. While the beginning ensemble plays its songs, the flute thinks how fabulous it's

going to sound one day, until it remembers how much it's going to have to practice its

scales first.  

2. In a conversation with the bassoon and flute, the oboe says something it shouldn't

have. The bassoon and flute run and tell the clarinet and horn an elaborate version of

what the oboe said. The clarinet and horn are quite upset. The oboe regrets having

said anything.

3. The members of the woodwind quintet join together to play a hymn, but individually

each instrument is preoccupied with its own thoughts and feelings.

4. The french horn tells some knock-knock jokes to its colleagues. Most of the wind

instruments find the jokes quite funny, particularly the bassoon, who laughs

uncontrollably at the second one. Only the flute doesn't get the jokes.

5. Before the start of the annual sub-regional conference kick-off meeting of WONA

(Woodwinds of North America),the delegates feel ill at ease and resort to

name-dropping, as they keep on eating the refreshments.

6. The members of the quintet put on a short play, in which the clarinet plays the part

of the woman in a cave, the bassoon plays the dragon who has trapped her, the flute

plays the silver bird who is sent for help, the french horn plays the volunteer fireman

who rescues her, and the oboe is the theater critic for the local newspaper.

7. Walking through what it perceives to be just another gray and faceless sea of wind

instruments, the clarinet gives vent to its anguish. But then it has a revelation of how

beautiful these other winds really are, and joyfully takes part in their music.