The Case of the Missing Violin

The curtain slowly moved across the stage of the Brine Concert Hall. The entire sixth grade orchestra from all of Camen School District was seated on the stage. Maren twitched nervously in her shoes. This was her first violin concert, and she was hoping that she wouldn’t make a mistake.

The teacher lifted his baton and the violins began to make music. The students seemed to work in unison as they moved their bows up and down the strings. The melodic sound was just beautiful.

Maren could hardly believe it when the concert was finally over. The curtain went across the stage as the students made their final bow.

Maren was anxious to see her family. Her favorite aunt, Jane, had traveled from Minnesota to watch Maren perform. Maren set her violin in her case and ran down to the audience to greet her family.

Maren fell into the arms of her aunt and got hugs and congratulatory remarks from everyone.

“It’s time to get going,” said Maren’s mom.

Maren skipped to the back of the stage through the crowd. When she got back to her violin, Maren could only find her case. The violin was missing! Stunned, Maren twirled and walked back to her mom.

“It’s gone. My violin is gone,” wailed Maren.

“How could it be gone?” asked her mother. “You just had it!”

Just then, Maren saw a boy run across the stage and out the door with a violin in his hand.