Niagara Falls, situated on the Niagara River in the northeastern region of North America, is a majestic waterfall that stretches across the border between Canada and the United States. Renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it stands alongside South America's Iguazu Falls and Africa's Victoria Falls as one of the world's three extraordinary waterfalls. Its breathtaking display, abundant mist, and astonishing force mesmerize all who have the privilege of visiting this remarkable natural wonder.
On the tour boat beneath the falls, tourists don white translucent plastic raincoats as they look up in awe at the majestic cascade of water. The thunderous roar of the pounding water is palpable, and the mist envelops the sky, offering a revitalizing escape from the sweltering summer heat. This natural spectacle leaves everyone on the boat marveling at the wonders of nature.
"Sweetheart, please refrain from climbing on the railing, alright?" her mother's voice resonated in her ears.
Angela, with half her body leaning against the railing, playfully stuck her tongue out and quickly hopped down, saying, "It's fine, Mom."
"Just because you say it's fine doesn't make it so, Chris. I don't want to be worried, alright?" Elena didn't want to raise her voice amidst the deafening sound of the waterfall, but she needed to ensure her words were heard.
Observing her mother's concern, Angela seized the opportunity to change the subject. "By the way, where's Daddy?"
"He's at the stern," Elena helplessly shrugged her shoulders. "Making a phone call."
"I knew it," Angela shrugged, mimicking her mother, before heading towards the stern.
At that moment, Jared paced back and forth at the less crowded stern, holding a Motorola wireless phone to his ear. It was the newly released model, half the size of the bulky ones from before.
Approaching her father from behind, Angela stood with her arms crossed for a moment, but Jared continued walking, engrossed in his conversation. It wasn't until Angela called out, elongating her voice, "Daddy!" that he noticed his daughter by his side. He quickly raised two fingers and stepped aside to continue his rapid conversation before ending the call.
"Hey, sweetheart, are you enjoying yourself?" Jared quickly put away the phone and rushed back, scooping up his little girl in his arms.
"I thought we came here on vacation," Angela said, tilting her head and gazing at her father.
"Okay, I apologize, sweetheart. I'm sorry. There won't be a next time, alright?" He planted a kiss on her cheek before setting her down, then he noticed his wife standing nearby, gazing at him with a helpless expression.
"Elena, my dear, I promise this will be the last time," Jared said earnestly, though he harbored doubts himself. He had already made similar promises multiple times on this trip.
Fortunately, Angela came to his rescue. She took hold of her father's hand and eagerly requested to take photos at the back of the boat. Elena, who had something to say, swallowed her words instead. Yet, she wasn't angry. At least the little girl appeared much happier now.
As the boat docked, the family of three disembarked on the Canadian side of the river. It was not unusual to traverse between the United States and Canada while visiting Niagara Falls. Observing the falls from the Canadian side offered a different perspective.
Gazing at the majestic waterfall from a distance, Angela suddenly felt like singing. She glanced around and spotted a street performer nearby, a young man in his twenties with long hair, strumming his guitar and singing to himself. Occasionally, tourists would drop a coin or two into his guitar case.
The little girl walked over and took out 5 US dollars, handing it to him. She asked, "Can I use your guitar?"
The young man was taken aback, pausing his playing, and looked at the little girl with curiosity. He then handed the guitar to her and inquired, "Can you play?"
"Absolutely!" Even though he politely refused the money, the little girl insisted on placing the 5 dollars into the guitar case before taking hold of the instrument. With confidence, she strummed a few notes, showcasing her remarkable skill and earning the young man's admiration.
The young man was astounded by the little girl's skillful playing. Despite her young age, she not only possessed a charming appearance but also displayed an impressive command of the guitar. However, what truly astonished him was when the lively music began, he noticed that she was playing the wooden guitar with the fervor of an electric guitar. As this realization dawned upon him, he couldn't help but be captivated by the girl's singing.
"Uh huh, life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
'Cause life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
Chill out, whatcha yelling for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if you could only let it be..."
[Note: The Song]
Her voice defied expectations, lacking the typical childishness one might anticipate and instead, she possessed a crisp and high-pitched voice. It was difficult to fathom that such a young girl could sing with such finesse and flavor. The infectious combination of the upbeat rhythm and the confident, relaxed lyrics exuded a distinct charm. It compelled people to sway to the melody, their bodies craving to dance, all while they yearned to absorb the meaningful lyrics. It was a delightful paradox that drew listeners in with its contrasting yet irresistible allure.
The melodic strains of her singing drew the attention of the surrounding tourists, who flocked around the little girl, captivated by her guitar-playing skills. Unfazed by the watchful eyes, Angela's spirited performance reached new heights, and her singing became even more flawless. As the song reached its conclusion, a wave of warm applause filled the air, with the young people in their twenties cheering the loudest. They cherished this song, embracing its message that life should be free from unnecessary complexities.
The little girl gracefully inclined her head towards the crowd and gently passed the guitar back to the young man, who remained entranced by her performance. She anticipated his reaction, knowing the impact of Avril Lavigne's timeless masterpiece "Complicated" as she had listened to it countless times in her previous life.
However, she didn't merely replicate it. Driven by her mood, Angela increased the tempo of "Complicated" by two beats and introduced subtle changes to the melody and lyrics in certain parts. Thus, the mid-tempo song transformed into a captivating upbeat rendition in her skillful hands. Nonetheless, her profound understanding of music and years of practice bore fruit, as Angela's adaptation of "Complicated" exuded an extraordinary charm.
"Chris, you're being stubborn again," Elena remarked in a half-blaming tone as she pinched Angela's cheek after the little girl rejoined her parents' side.
"Come on, Mom, we're on vacation after all. It's alright to be a little stubborn once in a while," the little girl said with a smile, gazing up at her mother.
"I agree," Jared chimed in. He typically sided with his daughter, leaving Elena with no choice but to relent. Glancing at the dispersing crowd, she finally said, "Alright, let's go."
In reality, Angela's perceived stubbornness was her way of venting her emotions. Although she was thoroughly enjoying the simple family trip and cherishing every moment, a sense of concern lingered within her regarding the growing distance between herself and Jessica.
Despite her constant reminders to avoid overthinking and complexity, the more she dwelled on it, the more her worries escalated. She occasionally feared making missteps and, at other times, dreaded the possibility of losing Jessica.
That's why, as she gazed upon the grandeur of Niagara Falls, her thoughts turned to the punk girl from the opposite side who was born there and her iconic song, "Complicated." Angela couldn't help but wonder why things always had to be so complicated and intricate. And thus, the inspiration for her adapted song was born.
In the presence of her parents, Angela continued to explore the waterfall scenic area. After venting her emotions, she resolved to approach things with less complexity. She believed she could manage her emotions by using breathing techniques if she experienced intense reactions in the future. While she acknowledged that some things couldn't be avoided by simply not thinking about them, Angela found herself selectively ignoring certain aspects when she felt overwhelmed. She pondered whether this was fortunate or disheartening.
The afternoon flew by, and as the family prepared to board a boat back to their home country after exploring both sides of Niagara Falls, they found themselves amidst a bustling crowd of tourists on the small pier. Angela's parents were deeply engrossed in conversation, while the restless little girl wandered back and forth along the pier. Though her mother had instructed her to stay within sight, she had also obtained permission from her father to explore a bit further.
As Angela gazed at the boat slowly gliding along the river, a sense of frustration welled up inside her. "I despise this situation," she muttered to herself. In that moment, she sensed a pair of eyes fixed upon her. This feeling had started after she had vented with "Complicated."
Clearly, someone had taken an interest in her. Initially, she paid little heed, having encountered people staring at her in the past. However, this person persisted in their gaze for an uncomfortably long time.
The bored little girl finally became impatient. She looked left and right, then walked towards a less crowded railing. As she approached the railing, she pretended to want to lean on it, but suddenly she turned around and looked back. The person who had been foolishly following her was startled and tried to blend into the crowd.
"Stop right there!" the little girl shouted, her voice filled with determination. With a confident stride, she quickly closed the distance and positioned herself in front of the person. Startled, the individual let out an exclamation but made no attempt to flee. Instead, they took a few cautious steps backward, their gaze fixed on Angela, observing her intently.
The person standing before Angela was a girl, seemingly three or four years younger than her. They shared a similarity in their golden-brown hair, which cascaded in a slightly disheveled manner over their shoulders. Despite the slightly untamed look, the girl exuded a certain cuteness that was hard to ignore. Her eyes, a captivating shade of green with subtle hints of blue, further enhanced her distinct charm.
Angela was taken aback and she felt captivated for a brief moment. However, she quickly regained her senses and hurriedly asked, "Who are you, and why have you been following me?"
The young girl's mouth opened as if she wanted to speak, but no words came out. Her eyes shimmered with excitement and curiosity. After a moment of hesitation, she finally mustered the courage to ask, her words slightly stammering, "Um... Are you a singer?"
Angela crossed her arms, puzzled by the situation, and looked at the young girl in front of her. After a while, she said, "No."
The girl persisted, undeterred, and asked again, "Are you a singer being developed by a record company?"
"No!"
"Then, are you a singer that a record company is preparing to develop?"
"No! No!" Angela's impatience grew, and she leaned closer to the little girl, their foreheads nearly touching. "Hey, kid, what do you want from me?"
"I love your song!" The little girl showed no signs of evading and simply beamed at Angela, her round face lighting up with a warm smile.
"Is that so? Thank you," Angela blinked, clearly taken aback.
The little girl extended her hand and continued, "Can you teach me? I also love singing. My name is Avril Ramona Lavigne!"
Niagara Falls, situated on the Niagara River in the northeastern region of North America, is a majestic waterfall that stretches across the border between Canada and the United States. Renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it stands alongside South America's Iguazu Falls and Africa's Victoria Falls as one of the world's three extraordinary waterfalls. Its breathtaking display, abundant mist, and astonishing force mesmerize all who have the privilege of visiting this remarkable natural wonder.
On the tour boat beneath the falls, tourists don white translucent plastic raincoats as they look up in awe at the majestic cascade of water. The thunderous roar of the pounding water is palpable, and the mist envelops the sky, offering a revitalizing escape from the sweltering summer heat. This natural spectacle leaves everyone on the boat marveling at the wonders of nature.
"Sweetheart, please refrain from climbing on the railing, alright?" her mother's voice resonated in her ears.
Angela, with half her body leaning against the railing, playfully stuck her tongue out and quickly hopped down, saying, "It's fine, Mom."
"Just because you say it's fine doesn't make it so, Chris. I don't want to be worried, alright?" Elena didn't want to raise her voice amidst the deafening sound of the waterfall, but she needed to ensure her words were heard.
Observing her mother's concern, Angela seized the opportunity to change the subject. "By the way, where's Daddy?"
"He's at the stern," Elena helplessly shrugged her shoulders. "Making a phone call."
"I knew it," Angela shrugged, mimicking her mother, before heading towards the stern.
At that moment, Jared paced back and forth at the less crowded stern, holding a Motorola wireless phone to his ear. It was the newly released model, half the size of the bulky ones from before.
Approaching her father from behind, Angela stood with her arms crossed for a moment, but Jared continued walking, engrossed in his conversation. It wasn't until Angela called out, elongating her voice, "Daddy!" that he noticed his daughter by his side. He quickly raised two fingers and stepped aside to continue his rapid conversation before ending the call.
"Hey, sweetheart, are you enjoying yourself?" Jared quickly put away the phone and rushed back, scooping up his little girl in his arms.
"I thought we came here on vacation," Angela said, tilting her head and gazing at her father.
"Okay, I apologize, sweetheart. I'm sorry. There won't be a next time, alright?" He planted a kiss on her cheek before setting her down, then he noticed his wife standing nearby, gazing at him with a helpless expression.
"Elena, my dear, I promise this will be the last time," Jared said earnestly, though he harbored doubts himself. He had already made similar promises multiple times on this trip.
Fortunately, Angela came to his rescue. She took hold of her father's hand and eagerly requested to take photos at the back of the boat. Elena, who had something to say, swallowed her words instead. Yet, she wasn't angry. At least the little girl appeared much happier now.
As the boat docked, the family of three disembarked on the Canadian side of the river. It was not unusual to traverse between the United States and Canada while visiting Niagara Falls. Observing the falls from the Canadian side offered a different perspective.
Gazing at the majestic waterfall from a distance, Angela suddenly felt like singing. She glanced around and spotted a street performer nearby, a young man in his twenties with long hair, strumming his guitar and singing to himself. Occasionally, tourists would drop a coin or two into his guitar case.
The little girl walked over and took out 5 US dollars, handing it to him. She asked, "Can I use your guitar?"
The young man was taken aback, pausing his playing, and looked at the little girl with curiosity. He then handed the guitar to her and inquired, "Can you play?"
"Absolutely!" Even though he politely refused the money, the little girl insisted on placing the 5 dollars into the guitar case before taking hold of the instrument. With confidence, she strummed a few notes, showcasing her remarkable skill and earning the young man's admiration.
The young man was astounded by the little girl's skillful playing. Despite her young age, she not only possessed a charming appearance but also displayed an impressive command of the guitar. However, what truly astonished him was when the lively music began, he noticed that she was playing the wooden guitar with the fervor of an electric guitar. As this realization dawned upon him, he couldn't help but be captivated by the girl's singing.
"Uh huh, life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
'Cause life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
Chill out, whatcha yelling for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if you could only let it be..."
[Note: The Song]
Her voice defied expectations, lacking the typical childishness one might anticipate and instead, she possessed a crisp and high-pitched voice. It was difficult to fathom that such a young girl could sing with such finesse and flavor. The infectious combination of the upbeat rhythm and the confident, relaxed lyrics exuded a distinct charm. It compelled people to sway to the melody, their bodies craving to dance, all while they yearned to absorb the meaningful lyrics. It was a delightful paradox that drew listeners in with its contrasting yet irresistible allure.
The melodic strains of her singing drew the attention of the surrounding tourists, who flocked around the little girl, captivated by her guitar-playing skills. Unfazed by the watchful eyes, Angela's spirited performance reached new heights, and her singing became even more flawless. As the song reached its conclusion, a wave of warm applause filled the air, with the young people in their twenties cheering the loudest. They cherished this song, embracing its message that life should be free from unnecessary complexities.
The little girl gracefully inclined her head towards the crowd and gently passed the guitar back to the young man, who remained entranced by her performance. She anticipated his reaction, knowing the impact of Avril Lavigne's timeless masterpiece "Complicated" as she had listened to it countless times in her previous life.
However, she didn't merely replicate it. Driven by her mood, Angela increased the tempo of "Complicated" by two beats and introduced subtle changes to the melody and lyrics in certain parts. Thus, the mid-tempo song transformed into a captivating upbeat rendition in her skillful hands. Nonetheless, her profound understanding of music and years of practice bore fruit, as Angela's adaptation of "Complicated" exuded an extraordinary charm.
"Chris, you're being stubborn again," Elena remarked in a half-blaming tone as she pinched Angela's cheek after the little girl rejoined her parents' side.
"Come on, Mom, we're on vacation after all. It's alright to be a little stubborn once in a while," the little girl said with a smile, gazing up at her mother.
"I agree," Jared chimed in. He typically sided with his daughter, leaving Elena with no choice but to relent. Glancing at the dispersing crowd, she finally said, "Alright, let's go."
In reality, Angela's perceived stubbornness was her way of venting her emotions. Although she was thoroughly enjoying the simple family trip and cherishing every moment, a sense of concern lingered within her regarding the growing distance between herself and Jessica.
Despite her constant reminders to avoid overthinking and complexity, the more she dwelled on it, the more her worries escalated. She occasionally feared making missteps and, at other times, dreaded the possibility of losing Jessica.
That's why, as she gazed upon the grandeur of Niagara Falls, her thoughts turned to the punk girl from the opposite side who was born there and her iconic song, "Complicated." Angela couldn't help but wonder why things always had to be so complicated and intricate. And thus, the inspiration for her adapted song was born.
In the presence of her parents, Angela continued to explore the waterfall scenic area. After venting her emotions, she resolved to approach things with less complexity. She believed she could manage her emotions by using breathing techniques if she experienced intense reactions in the future. While she acknowledged that some things couldn't be avoided by simply not thinking about them, Angela found herself selectively ignoring certain aspects when she felt overwhelmed. She pondered whether this was fortunate or disheartening.
The afternoon flew by, and as the family prepared to board a boat back to their home country after exploring both sides of Niagara Falls, they found themselves amidst a bustling crowd of tourists on the small pier. Angela's parents were deeply engrossed in conversation, while the restless little girl wandered back and forth along the pier. Though her mother had instructed her to stay within sight, she had also obtained permission from her father to explore a bit further.
As Angela gazed at the boat slowly gliding along the river, a sense of frustration welled up inside her. "I despise this situation," she muttered to herself. In that moment, she sensed a pair of eyes fixed upon her. This feeling had started after she had vented with "Complicated."
Clearly, someone had taken an interest in her. Initially, she paid little heed, having encountered people staring at her in the past. However, this person persisted in their gaze for an uncomfortably long time.
The bored little girl finally became impatient. She looked left and right, then walked towards a less crowded railing. As she approached the railing, she pretended to want to lean on it, but suddenly she turned around and looked back. The person who had been foolishly following her was startled and tried to blend into the crowd.
"Stop right there!" the little girl shouted, her voice filled with determination. With a confident stride, she quickly closed the distance and positioned herself in front of the person. Startled, the individual let out an exclamation but made no attempt to flee. Instead, they took a few cautious steps backward, their gaze fixed on Angela, observing her intently.
The person standing before Angela was a girl, seemingly three or four years younger than her. They shared a similarity in their golden-brown hair, which cascaded in a slightly disheveled manner over their shoulders. Despite the slightly untamed look, the girl exuded a certain cuteness that was hard to ignore. Her eyes, a captivating shade of green with subtle hints of blue, further enhanced her distinct charm.
Angela was taken aback and she felt captivated for a brief moment. However, she quickly regained her senses and hurriedly asked, "Who are you, and why have you been following me?"
The young girl's mouth opened as if she wanted to speak, but no words came out. Her eyes shimmered with excitement and curiosity. After a moment of hesitation, she finally mustered the courage to ask, her words slightly stammering, "Um... Are you a singer?"
Angela crossed her arms, puzzled by the situation, and looked at the young girl in front of her. After a while, she said, "No."
The girl persisted, undeterred, and asked again, "Are you a singer being developed by a record company?"
"No!"
"Then, are you a singer that a record company is preparing to develop?"
"No! No!" Angela's impatience grew, and she leaned closer to the little girl, their foreheads nearly touching. "Hey, kid, what do you want from me?"
"I love your song!" The little girl showed no signs of evading and simply beamed at Angela, her round face lighting up with a warm smile.
"Is that so? Thank you," Angela blinked, clearly taken aback.
The little girl extended her hand and continued, "Can you teach me? I also love singing. My name is Avril Ramona Lavigne!"
