Vinta's new book

Vinta’s new book

In a very bright afternoon, Vinta went to meet her friends in the park. She wanted to show them her new book that she got from her aunt. It was her birthday present. It was a great book that she would like to share it with her friends.

“Hey, guys!” said Vinta. “Thanks for meeting me here.” Her friends - Keyla, Intan, Toni and Ali were already in the park. They sat on the spot they usually gathered. There was no bench but the ground was quite dry that they could sit comfortably. Sometimes they brought a mat and snacks if they would like to stay longer.

“Hey Vin, what’s so special that you want us to come?” asked Keyla. “What do you have in your hand, Vin?” Before Vinta answered her question,others asked her the same question.

“Is it a dictionary?” asked Intan.

“Is it a photo album?” asked Toni.

“Or is it a comic book?” asked Ali.

“Nope! Your guesses are all wrong,” answered Vinta. “It’s a story book. It’s a birthday present from my aunt.” “Ooooo....” they commented. “Can we see it, please?”

“Sure. That’s why I brought with me today. The story is great. I want you too to read it. You can return it to me after all of you all have your turn to read it” said Vinta.

“I get the first turn,” said Intan.

“I am second,” Keyla raised her hand.

“What’s so great with this book?” asked Toni. He took the book from Intan, and looked at its cover.

“I’d rather see a movie than read a book,” Ali looked over Toni’s shoulder.

“You boys don’t know how to read!” Intan tried to take the book from Toni.

“Hey, I’m still looking!” Toni got away from Intan. She then ran after Toni. “If you don’t want to read, just give the book to me!” Toni had the book over his head and Intan tried to reach it.

“Guys, stop it! You will ruin the book,” shouted Vinta when she saw Toni passed the book to Ali. Intan was still trying to get the book. Keyla stood up assisting Intan get the book from Ali. She reached to Ali’s head while Ali still held the book..

“NOOOO!!!,”cried Vinta. Ali and Keyla had one side of the book. The book was torn up into two. “What have you done?!,” Vinta took the book to her hands. Her tears came down to her face.

“Oh Vinta, I’m sorry. I just tried to get the book from Ali,” Keyla approached her. The boys stood motionless. “I wanted to share my joy for reading a great book, but you all just made fun of it. You are mean to me!!.” Vinta got her things and walked away.

“C’mon, Vinta. We’re sorry,” Toni tried to stop her. But Vinta was so upset that she ignored her friends.

She could not understand why her friends could behave so badly. They knew that the book was new and was a present. How could they so ignorant?... Perhaps it was wrong to show them the book… Vinta got to her house and cried her heart out. Luckily there was no one at home. She had to find a way to tell her parents about the book.

Meanwhile at the park, her friends felt sorry for what happened.

“Surely Vinta knows that we didn’t mean to ruin her book,” said Ali. Intan glared at him, “well, how will you feel if your friends break your bike that you got as present from your parents?” Keyla came between them. “We all have our share to the accident. We all are sorry. But now, what are we going to do with Vinta?.”  

“How about we buy the same book for Vinta?,” Toni said abruptly. 

“That’s a good idea,” answered Keyla. Others were agreed, too.

“But do we have money?,” asked Ali. He looked into his wallet and showed a couple of bills of Rp. 20.000-

“Let’s check the price first.” Intan took out her phone and started to browse. “Yes. And don’t forget to note down the place where we can buy the book.”

After 10 minutes.

“Oh, no!,” cried Intan. “the book is expensive!!. How can we get three hundred thousand?. I don’t have that much money.” They all don’t have the money.

“Maybe we can ask our parents?,” said Toni.

“I can’t. I have just asked money for comics last week,” answered Ali.

“So can’t I, “ said Keyla, “My parents spent quite a lot to repair my notebook. I Remember accidentally spilled water to it.”

“Well, guys. Since we don’t have money to buy the book, and we can’t ask money from our parents, we have to think of something.” Intan continues, “Why don’t we just go home now. I don’t feel to do anything anymore. If you come up with an idea, call us.” She stood up and brushed the grass off her pants. Then they left separately with concern on their faces.

That night, Keyla had an idea, Maybe if we have a garage sale, we can raise enough money to buy Vinta’s book. She then called Toni.

“Hello, Toni. I have a briliant idea for buying Vinta’s book. We can have a garage sale at my house!,” she said. She was pleased with her idea.

Toni was silent for a moment, then he cried, “That’s a great idea, Keyla. I think others will agree. OK, then we’ll come to your house to arrange it. See you tomorrow!”

Keyla put down her cellphone. She had no choice to tell her parents what happened that afternoon. At first, her parents were upset with her story. But later they were glad that she had a way to solve the problem. They told her that they would help her to find unused things she could sell in the garage sale.

The next day, Toni, Ali, and Intan gathered at Keyla’s front yard. They brought a lot of things with them.

“Wow, look at these. We surely have tons of things we don’t use anymore.” Intan piled up books, magazines, toys, CDs and DVDs. Ali even brought comics.

“Are you sure you want to sell these comics, Ali?,” Keyla asked.

“Yes. I don’t have space anymore in my room for them. Anyway, I always buy comics.” Ali put down the comics.

“Okay, then. Let’s put prices on the things. I have seen my neighbors already peek at the stuffs. Intan, you are the cashier. So pleaaasseee, be careful with the money.” Keyla got busy telling her friends what to do. 

“Now, let’s all put our hands together then say ‘ for Vinta’ on the count of 3. Okay?.” “OKAY!!!” They put their hands together.  “1, 2, 3...” counted Keyla. “FOR VINTA!!!” “That’s the spirit. Now,let’s sell so we get the money,” said Ali.

The four friends worked hard on their garage sale. They attracted people who passed by to stop and check on their garage sale. Keyla called their friends to come by. She also asked her mother and sister to call their friends. They gave good bargain so people were pleased. They were tired but they were eager to raise the money.

After the garage sale ended, the four friends gathered up at Keyla’s living room. They counted the money anxiously. 

“So how much money we get?”asked Ali. Intan piled up the bills and coins. “100, 200, 250, 280 …. 355. 000! We got more that we needed! Good job guys!” they were relieved. They were glad that they could finally buy Vinta’s book. They just hoped Vinta would accept the book and forgive them.

The next day after the garage sale, Keyla, Intan, Ali and Toni knocked on Vinta’s house door. It was Vinta who opened it. She was surprised. 

“Hi, guys. What are youall doing here?.” Vinta let them enter the house. Keyla came forward. 

“Vinta, we are sorry for what happened on the other day. We did not mean to ruin your book. We knew the book was precious to you because it was your birthday present from your aunt. So, we come here to give you this.” Keyla gave a package to Vinta. Others waited anxiously. Vinta took the package, and quickly opened it. 

“Oh my Gosh! It’s my book! It’s the same book like mine. Did you really buy this for me? You didn’t have to buy it for my forgiveness. I have forgiven you already,” Vinta was delighted. She did not think her friends would replace her torn book. “Thank you so much for this. I didn’t expect you to buy me a new one.” She hugged Keyla and Intan, and thanked the boys.

“I had told my parents about the book, and they had the book repaired. In fact, my father is getting the book this afternoon. I am going to show it to you tomorrow.” Her friends stunned. Vinta then continued, “but I don’t mind to have another one. I will cherish it the same because it is given by my lovely friends.”

Keyla, Intan, Toni, and Ali smiled. They were so happy.

“Thank you, Vinta,” said Intan.

“Do you know why I wanted to share this book with you?,” asked Vinta to her friends. They shook their heads.

“Because this book tells about friendship. How friendship is precious that you would not want your friend gets hurt.” Ali responded, “wow, this book has a better story than my comics.” They laughed to his remark. The five friends were back together again.