The Power of the Harmonica

The harmonica has powerful properties, including the ability to bind the owners to each other. This power is seen as Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy come together at the end of the novel. Each has followed his dream and is performing at Carnegie Hall.

The three princesses give the harmonica first to Otto. They call him the first messenger and tell him that he has a responsibility to pass the harmonica along at the proper time. He does not know when that will be, but he passes it on when he has no choice about it. That is how the harmonica winds up in the warehouse on the harmonica factory property. When Friedrich is outside the factory at lunchtime, he is drawn to the room. There is a thick coating of dust, indicating that no one was playing the harmonica. In addition, the...