In September, Mirela started violin lessons. On day one, her teacher said, "You need a violin. Please get one this week."
九月，米雷拉开始上小提琴课。第一天，老师说：“你需要一把小提琴。这周请准备好。”
Mirela had two choices. She could buy a new violin from a shop. Or she could use her grandmother's old one.
米雷拉有两个选择。她可以去店里买一把新琴。或者，她可以用奶奶的旧琴。
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.
星期二，她去了店里。那把新琴又亮又轻。要八十美元。米雷拉拉了一个音。声音又细又尖。
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.
星期三，她去看奶奶。旧琴放在床底下的琴盒里。它是深棕色的，上面有一道小划痕。
Her grandmother gave it to her. "Try it," she said.
奶奶把琴递给她。“试试看。”她说。
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.
旧琴更重一些。十分钟后，米雷拉的胳膊就酸了。可是它的声音温暖而深沉。奶奶拉了一个音。“它还会唱歌呢。”她说。
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.
那天晚上，米雷拉睡不着。她想着那把闪亮的琴。它又轻又新，可是不是免费的。旧琴不用花钱，而且她喜欢它的声音。
On Thursday morning, she called the shop. "I do not need the violin," she said. "Thank you."
星期四早上，她给店里打了电话。“我不需要那把小提琴了。”她说，“谢谢您。”
At her next lesson, she opened the old case. "My arm will get strong," she told her teacher.
下一节课，她打开了那只旧琴盒。“我的胳膊会变得有力气的。”她对老师说。
Her teacher smiled. Mirela lifted the old violin and played one long note.
老师笑了。米雷拉举起旧琴，拉出了一个长长的音。
