Dad had no idea his autistic 11-year-old could play the piano—until a life-changing gift from stranger changed boy's life

We are often encouraged to try new things because we never know what gifts and talents we might have. Some activities or skills may come to us naturally and can be easy for us to manage compared to others. These strengths should be identified and used for the good of others. Then 11-year-old autistic boy, Jude Kofie, received a gift of a lifetime from a stranger after he displayed his exceptional skills, per CBS Evening News. The young boy had a gift to understand and play the piano, which was unbeknownst to him and his dad. However, they discovered his exceptional talent in the most wholesome way. 

Kofie had an unbelievably remarkable talent with the piano. His father, Isaiah, who was a drummer, had no idea about his son’s skills. He recalled the moment he realized what a gifted boy his son was on a random morning. The dad heard some unusual sounds coming from the basement. When he went to check it out, he saw his son experimenting with an old keyboard. "I was here watching the news when I heard him play something. So I grabbed my phone, went down there, and was like, 'Dude, play that again,’” the dad said, per ABC 7 Denver. Kofie believed his skill was a “miracle.” 

The dad was shocked after hearing his son play, especially considering that he had never taken a class or played before. The then 11-year-old’s story was not yet done. A piano tuner, Bill Magnusson, learned of the news and wanted to understand more about the boy. On hearing his exceptional playing, he realized that Kofie had much more potential. “He’s special, he’s beyond special, he’s Mozart level. He’s coming from somewhere beyond,” the man said. The footage captured Kofie moving his fingers so professionally and elegantly that it just leaves you awestruck.

Magnusson came to know that Kofie and his family had immigrated from Ghana and were earning a living while raising four kids and sending money back to their home. This meant a tight budget for the family and despite being a stranger, he knew he had to do something. He used his own inheritance to purchase a $15,000 grand piano, estimated to be worth $45,000 and decided to give the boy a life-changing surprise. One day, Isaish and Kofie were stunned to find a grand piano at their doorstep. “All for free, who does that?” the dad asked in disbelief. Kofie is quite the musician and is already at it with his exemplary skills and fine instrument. 

Magnusson went from a complete stranger to “family” by expressing his interest in the boy’s potential. He has also promised to pay for professional piano lessons for Kofie as well as provide a monthly tuning for his piano. “Somebody to just love your son like that by making sure that his future is secured, we are super thankful,” Isaiah remarked. The boy has long kickstarted his musical journey and is rightly flaunting his skills on social media. His vibrant and delightful talent and passion, together with mentors like Magnusson, only prove that he has a long, long way to go.

You can follow Jude Kofie (@jude.kofie) on Instagram and (@judekofie) on YouTube for more content on music.