Crunchy leaves led through the forest. Between two oak trees, a tall door swung open, and the girl thought, “A library?”
Pages fluttered in the pine-scented breeze. The open doorway showed a dark, bookish glow beyond the trees.
Twisty wooden steps curled up to the door. Step, step, squeak went the boards beneath her shoes.
One step gave a little wobble. She grabbed the smooth railing and let out a surprised giggle.
At the top, she pressed the brass handle. Creak! The door opened wider.
Shelves and shelves reached almost to the ceiling. Red books, blue books, tiny books, and enormous books filled every space.
Dusty-paper smell floated around the room. She spotted one big colourful book and reached up high.
The big colourful book slid free. It was so wide that it hid her face completely.
BUMP! She bumped gently into a soft pile of books. The book pile made a quiet poof.
She carried the book to an open patch of floor. Down it went with a soft, thumpy thud.
Rain began to patter on the library roof. Tap, tap, tap echoed above the empty reading floor.
She opened the colourful pages on the wooden floor. “Turn, turn, turn,” she read quietly.
Another page waited under her fingertips. She turned it slowly while rain tapped overhead.
DING! DING! DING! The clock struck three, and she looked up fast.
She closed the book and slid it back into its place. Her fingertips gave the bright cover one last pat.
Leaves swished around her shoes on the walk home. On the floor at home, she opened a book and whispered, “Turn, turn, turn.”
