Peaceful Library : A Sleep Story

 

A good book has always been the solution to any situation, good day, bad day, busy, peaceful, books are always the answer. But you’ve been so busy lately that your beloved books have fallen by the wayside. You miss them. You really should carve some time out of your schedule just for reading.  

You mull this over as you walk home and as though your thoughts are guiding you, you find yourself walking right past your local library. You haven’t visited in a long time and had half forgotten what a lovely old building it is. It’s large enough to hold several books and two reading rooms, but is still welcoming rather than imposing.  Given the late hour, you are surprised to see the lights shining from the windows.  

Filled with nostalgia, you open the door and are immediately welcomed by the scent of books, both old and new.  Seated at the front desk is an elderly lady wearing a comfy sweater over an old fashioned floral dress.  

“Good evening,” she says with a warm smile.  “Thank you for coming. Do you need any help finding a particular book?”  

You explain that you just want to look around unless they are closing soon, which you think they might be since it’s getting late.  

“Oh, no, not just yet,” she replies kindly, “you have plenty of time, dear.” 

You thank her and find your favorite section, hoping to find your favorite childhood book.  You run your fingers along the book spines as you enter a row of shelves till you see the familiar title and author. It’s as though the book was waiting for you. 

Taking the book, you find a comfy chair with a soft blanket draped over the arm. You settle in for some long overdue reading. You are so relaxed that you lose track of time as the evening goes by. The librarian brings you some tea, but otherwise you are left alone. 

You do notice a few other people, but strangely enough they seem almost transparent. Could they be ghosts? They seem mostly absorbed in their browsing and reading but when ant glance your way, they seem friendly. Seeing a man in a suit and tie pass directly through a bookshelf confirms your theory.  

You don’t feel afraid, just curious. You realize that the ghost's presence explains the library's late hours; the library is open late for them. It’s kind of them to share their library time with you. You decide you need to come back more often as you drift off to a peaceful sleep. 

Good Night!