The Piano at Night

Tuli walked home late from basketball practice. The street was dark and quiet. Her bag was heavy.

She passed the school. The gate was shut, and the windows were dark. But Tuli heard music. Someone played a piano.

The song was slow and soft. It stopped. It started again. It stopped at the same place again.

Tuli stood still for a long time. Who was inside? Nobody was at school at this hour. She went home, but she could not sleep.

The next evening, Tuli went back. She came at the same time. The music started again.

This time she walked to the side door. It was open a little. She looked inside.

In the music room, the cleaner sat at the piano. His cart stood by the wall. He had a book of notes in front of him. He pressed the keys very slowly.

He made the same mistake again. He shook his head and tried again. Tuli did not move.

At last he played the whole song. It was beautiful. Tuli clapped her hands. The man jumped and then laughed.

"I clean this school," he said. "But I want to learn the piano."

"Please play it again," Tuli said. She sat down on the floor and listened.