THE PIANO THAT WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT When a new girl called Emma came to have her first piano lesson‚ she immediately reminded Mia of what she was like as a child. Emma was curious‚ cheerful‚ smiling‚ and ready to discover all music secrets. And Mia’s secrets too. “Mia‚ what made you decide to start taking piano lessons? Was it for your parents?“ asked Emma. Mia always preferred students saying her first name to addressing her as a teacher. She believed that respect should come from her relationship with students and not because she was highly educated. “My dear Emma‚ nobody made me take up the piano. It all started in 1968 when my father and some workmen had a lot of trouble with lifting it to the sixth floor using stairs. He believed my sister would be delighted to attend music school. Ha-ha‚ sure‚ she was delighted. The piano soon became just a piece of furniture in our apartment‚ so Mom suggested we should sell it. Although my parents didn’t even plan to have me at the time‚ Dad dismissed the idea by saying that one day‚ it definitely would be muchneeded. As if he knew.
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“It works just fine. We’ll come then. Goodbye.“ “Goodbye.“ Mia was looking forward to meeting Hanna and Nina and had a plan to invite Ella‚ Nina’s teacher‚ to join them. She set off for school‚ walking joyfully‚ convinced that everything would turn out just the way it should. At six o’clock in the afternoon‚ Hanna‚ Nina’s mom‚ knocked at the door of the piano room. “Teacher Mia‚ may I?“ “Come in‚ welcome!“ Nina was shy‚ so she hid behind her mom. Mia came close and extended her hands‚ giving Nina the left one‚ closer to the heart‚ and offering a handshake to both of them “How are you feeling‚ my dear Nina?“ “Much better‚ thank you.“ “Happy to hear that! Do you‚ by any chance‚ know what brought it about and how it manifested itself?“ “Well‚ not sure how to explain... I was dizzy‚ couldn’t breathe‚ felt like crying all the time. Mom wanted to take me to a psychologist‚ but she first went to school to talk to my piano teacher. She thought my problems had something to do with piano lessons because I refused to have them.“ “I completely understand how you felt. I’d call your teacher to join us now if you don’t mind.“
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THE GIRL WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE A PRINCESS Mia turned to the window‚ not to disturb this precious moment. She remembered herself and how she was once told to draw a princess she wanted to become one day. Mia loved drawing‚ but the paper remained blank. Her teacher came close and asked why she wasn’t drawing. Mia replied she didn’t want to become a princess. The teacher looked at her in surprise‚ wondering why. Mia explained that princesses were confined and always needed someone to set them free; she preferred being barefoot and unrestrained. Her teacher laid her head on Mia’s shoulder and whispered‚ “I wish for the same.“ It just etched in Mia’s mind. She often heard people saying similar things—they wanted freedom‚ life on their own terms‚ not to please others only because they were expected to‚ they wanted to be unrestrained and happy. Mia saw the world as a significant kingdom with lots of princesses in castles‚ but she didn’t dream of becoming one. Hanna’s voice interrupted her train of thought‚ “Mia‚ how are we going to face Nina’s teacher?“ “Leave it to me.“ “I’d like Nina to be in your class. The reason why we decided in Ella’s favor is that we heard she takes her
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students to competitions and is the most demanding teacher who doesn’t accept any excuses. I like that kind of relationship between a teacher and a student because it resembles the way how I raise my children. However‚ Nina obviously couldn’t handle it. It seems she has a lot more in common with you rather than Ella.“ “Don’t worry‚ Ella is a sensible woman‚ and I don’t think she would mind. However‚ you should give her a call and tell her you’d leave. And that was exactly what happened. Nina was transferred to Mia’s class‚ and Ella didn’t object. Emma‚ who loved Nina so dearly‚ was so happy about all this.
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