The Most Marvelous Of All Books (A Kids' Tale)

*During the year when I was a preschool teacher, I wrote the following short story. It is worthy to note that I scribbled it down in 30 minutes, and that it was intended for a condensed week about reading at the preschool.*

Once upon a time, there was a magical book; a book that was like no other you have ever seen. With interesting stories and magical tales, the book had but one condition to let you in on its marvels; to treat it gently and with love. Otherwise, blankness would wash away all of its magic, and leave you with nothing but empty pages.

One day, five children went to a library where the librarian told them of a book that would open up their eyes to things they have never seen before. Like a portal to wonders they never knew existed, it was a book they would not want to let go of once they have read. But the lady warned them that unless they treat the book with respect and care, the book shall withhold its magic, colors, and stories. 

With eyes glittering with excitement, the children could barely wait, and they rushed to find the book she speaks of.

Skimming through one book after the other, all they found were boring stories that didn't match the description of the magical book. They knew they had to keep looking.

Immersed in the silence of the diligent hunt, the children heard a gasp so loud they instantly dropped their books and went to see what had happened.

Staring in awe, one of the boys had his eyes locked on a book that rested on a top shelf.

Among the many ordinary books, there stood one book which seemed to glow. Together, the children quickly helped one other, and reached for the book. Excited as they were to read it, they could barely wait to explore what the book withheld.

Around the book they sat in a circle, making sure it was visible to everyone. The first of them to have found it turned over its first page, and began to read out loud so that all of his friends could hear.

Rapidly and unexpectedly, one of his friends snatched the book to read it himself. In a blink of an eye, the colors and words of the book faded away, barely leaving the children with anything to read. The boy had forgotten the librarian’s warning, and did not understand what had happened. He did not intentionally mean any disrespect for the book, and soon afterwards, he started treating it gently again.  Right then, the colors and words popped in vividness once more.

Sadly, it wasn't long before another child who was swept by excitement aggressively grabbed the book from his friend’s gentle grip. Everyone fell silent as the sound of a tearing page shattered the silence of the library.

They looked at the book, but this time, it had gone blank white. No words or pictures were to be seen at all. At this instant, they all remembered what the librarian had told them. They were so afraid, and felt the weight of what they had done pressing against their chests in angst. They mistreated the most amazing of all books, and now they would not be able to read it again.

Hastily, they tried to put the paper back where it was, but nothing seemed to change. The entire book was still blank. They tried to pat it, even hug it and kiss it, but still nothing would change.

It then occurred to one of them that the answer might be fixing it. She ran to the librarian and told her of what had happened. As she narrated the incident with guilt and concern, the librarian comforted her, and told her that the greatest of books was a very forgiving one.

Together, they went to look for some scotch tape. Having found one, the girl rushed back to her friends. She wasn't certain of the result, but she knelt down beside the book as if she were tending to a sick friend. Gently and carefully, she put the page back where it was, and slid the scotch tape across it.

She shut the book, hugged it so hard, and with the faintest sound pleaded, “Oh please, marvelous book, heal and forgive us for our ill-treatment.” She shut her eyes, and made a promise in her heart, never to treat the book with disrespect again.

As their anticipation peaked, they slowly opened the book to find that the torn page had healed, and that all of the pages were flooded with words and color once more.

Overwhelmed with happiness that the most marvelous of all books was back again, they all gathered around the book, but this time they made sure to share the book and take turns. And from that day on, they could never let go of the book, always finding their way back to it for endless reading sessions.