listening

My grandmother's voice trembled through my phone speaker as she hummed that ancient raga, the same melody archaeologists discovered carved into Keeladi's pottery shards centuries ago. I'd filmed her for the app that finally paid creators like us, sharing our heritage with thousands listening across continents. She didn't understand the algorithm, the followers, the coins accumulating in my account. But when neighbors began learning these forgotten songs, requesting lessons, gathering in our courtyard again, she smiled knowingly. The algorithm paid me. But listening to our community reclaim what was nearly lost? That was priceless.