Just before lunch time, while I was shelving the books in the library, something caught my eye. That was a tittle of a book in Bahasa Indonesia: "Biola tak berdawai", in English it is " a violin without strings." And this provoke my thought by its symbolic and poetic language. So as soon as I returned the book at its place, I recited this little phrase in my heart and tried find something that I can learn from this.
Once, when I was in Lombok island (an island in the east of Bali) attending a youth competition for several days, on the weekend I got the opportunity to see some teenagers (at my age that time) played their violins very elegantly. The music which came out from their instruments was just so beautiful and heart-warming. Deep inside in my heart, I really wanted to be able to play that instrument, since I had never even touched a violin before. Overwhelmed by amazement, I saw them playing and kept admiring them! O, a teen as I was that time! But the experience in the past taught me to repress anything that is "too big" for me, in this case a violin.
The time came when a year later, I had finished my study in Sumbawa Island and I went to Jogjakarta, in Central part of Java island. There I met my sister's college friend who can play a violin. Seeing my amazement toward his playing, he offered me to teach me violin. I gladly accepted his offer and for a little time he taught me the basic skills. However small the skill I had have, but you can see how joyful my eyes that time were, while wishing somehow and someday I would be able and may continue play a violin.
But again, behind me, the experience imposed me to forget this little sparkling wish. However, even until now I keep this little hope within me, I know that it is just childlike dream or in my dictionary, this is teenagerian want. But this is very funny for me when I am realizing that it (this little want) is with me, LOL.
So, that was the story about violin. In another side, if I come back to the book tittle which has caught my eyes: a violin without string, (I know that there are many possibility, but) what came out in my mind is that, it is under construction or being repaired. Surely in time, a precise and fit strings will be on it. But it is in need of patience just little more time, while waiting its Master placing the new strings on it. Yes, because this violin can never play by itself, what's more without the strings-- its life, which it must receive from its Master. Thereafter The Master plays it and it produces sweet sound. Its beauty always tell His Master's.
I know how poor I am in making an analogy, since I am just a babbling boy. And what do you think you can learn from a violin without a string?
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!
What a most wonderful reflection from seeing a book title; and wonderful remembrances from Lombok and Jogjakarta. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes, and me, I agree with Ian and appreciate your meditation from seeing that book title. My question might be, 'Did you look inside the book to see if it was a novel, or a book of poetry, or what? The title sounds very enigmatic. I wonder what the book is about.
ReplyDeleteLike you and the violin, my story is me and the piano. Ever since I was an infant, maybe 3 years old when I had a small toy piano with seven keys, I have been drawn strongly to this instrument. My family was too poor to ever dream of even owning a piano, so growing up, I could only dream. As a young teenager (13), I had one friend whose family had a piano and he could play it. You know where I spent as much time as possible! But I was too shy to dare to ask him if I could try it.
It was not until college that my dream to play the piano came close to being fulfilled. In my little college which was very primitive and humble, the music conservatory consisted of (believe it or not!) a tiny wooden house with four rooms behind closed doors, each with an upright piano. The students who were studying music could come in there at any hour (nothing was locked) and practice their lessons.
One evening, instead of doing my homework or visiting with my friends, I snuck into the little house and found myself completely alone. So I went into one of the four rooms and sat down at the piano, and I began to experiment.
As I found, the conservatory was usually unoccupied in most evenings, so I began to go there regularly and play the piano. Slowly I taught myself how to play, without knowing how to read music, and I began to compose pieces. They were very, very simple and in a classical style, like the ones I remember my friend used to play.
I never played the piano in front of any of my friends, but always secretly, because I didn't want to be laughed at.
Finally, I was finished with my college days, and I got married and raised a family. Pianos were still too expensive for us, but then electric keyboards became available, and I bought such instruments for my sons. As a result, my two oldest sons became excellent and proficient musicians and composers, although both of them changed their preferred instrument to guitars. Meanwhile, caring for my family, I had no money to buy a real piano for myself, or time to learn even if I had one.
Now, I am 58 years old, and I still want to play the piano. I hope to be able to buy an upright piano in the coming year, as they are not too expensive as a used instrument. Portland, where I live, is an old music city, where many families have pianos, and many come up for sale. God willing, I will again try to play, only this time I will get one of my friends to teach me.
Music is the language of the spirit. I hope you will have the chance in your life, Yudhie, to become a violinist, and not have to wait too long to begin.
Dear Ian, thanks for the sincere encouragement, this is really a comfort for me for knowing that you appreciate my humble writing.
ReplyDeleteRomanos, what a story. I am amazed at the slight similarity of our stories. Thanks for your prayers. Ameyn!
Yudhie, I will be thinking about your violin without strings for a while, and I'll tell my four girls about it. This is a beautiful image! Thank you.
ReplyDelete