The Old Violin or the New One

In September, Mirela started violin lessons. On day one, her teacher said, "You need a violin. Please get one this week."

Pada bulan September, Mirela mulai mengikuti les biola. Pada hari pertama, gurunya berkata, "Kamu butuh sebuah biola. Tolong carilah minggu ini."

Mirela had two choices. She could buy a new violin from a shop. Or she could use her grandmother's old one.

Mirela punya dua pilihan. Ia bisa membeli biola baru di toko. Atau ia bisa memakai biola tua milik neneknya.

On Tuesday, she went to the shop. The new violin was bright and light. It cost eighty dollars. Mirela played one note. The sound was thin and sharp.

Pada hari Selasa, ia pergi ke toko. Biola baru itu mengilap dan ringan. Harganya delapan puluh dolar. Mirela memainkan satu nada. Suaranya tipis dan melengking.

On Wednesday, she visited her grandmother. The old violin was in a case under the bed. It was brown and dark, with a small scratch.

Pada hari Rabu, ia mengunjungi neneknya. Biola tua itu ada di dalam kotak di bawah tempat tidur. Warnanya cokelat tua dan gelap, dengan sebuah goresan kecil.

Her grandmother gave it to her. "Try it," she said.

Neneknya memberikannya kepadanya. "Cobalah," katanya.

The old violin was heavier. After ten minutes, Mirela's arm hurt. But the sound was warm and deep. Her grandmother played one note. "It still sings," she said.

Biola tua itu lebih berat. Setelah sepuluh menit, lengan Mirela sakit. Tetapi suaranya hangat dan dalam. Neneknya memainkan satu nada. "Ia masih bisa bernyanyi," katanya.

That night, Mirela could not sleep. She thought about the shiny violin. It was light and new, but it was not free. The old violin was free, and she loved its sound.

Malam itu, Mirela tidak bisa tidur. Ia memikirkan biola yang mengilap itu. Biola itu ringan dan baru, tetapi tidak gratis. Biola tua itu gratis, dan ia menyukai suaranya.

On Thursday morning, she called the shop. "I do not need the violin," she said. "Thank you."

Pada Kamis pagi, ia menelepon toko itu. "Saya tidak jadi membeli biolanya," katanya. "Terima kasih."

At her next lesson, she opened the old case. "My arm will get strong," she told her teacher.

Pada les berikutnya, ia membuka kotak yang tua itu. "Lenganku akan jadi kuat," katanya kepada gurunya.

Her teacher smiled. Mirela lifted the old violin and played one long note.

Gurunya tersenyum. Mirela mengangkat biola tua itu dan memainkan satu nada panjang.