The ‘Agatha Christie Club’ of Epic Public School shares this captivating story about the mystical bond between a reader and their books. After waking to find all the books mysteriously gone, the protagonist learns the importance of cherishing the wisdom and companionship they offer. This tale highlights the transformative power of reading and the invaluable friendship books provide in shaping our lives.
I woke up from my slumber one fateful morning, jolted by a strange noise echoing through the stillness of my room. Squinting at my watch, I saw it was just 3 a.m. A sense of unease settled in my chest, but when I looked around, nothing seemed out of place. Just shadows playing tricks on my tired mind, I reassured myself as I drifted back to sleep.
But when I finally emerged from my dreams, a dreadful reality awaited me. All my books—my companions, my teachers—were missing. Every shelf that had once brimmed with stories, wisdom, and knowledge was now empty. I searched high and low, rifling through the corners of my room in disbelief, but they had vanished without a trace. A chill ran down my spine as the noise I had heard in the night replayed in my mind. It wasn’t a dream, after all. That sound—the faint rustling—was my beloved books leaving me.
Desperation clawed at my heart as I imagined them walking away, their pages fluttering like wings in the night air. “Why are you leaving me, my friends?” I cried out to the empty room, my voice trembling with fear and regret. “I can’t live without you!”
Then, in the silence, I heard them. Whispers, soft and delicate, filled the air. “If you are not taking care of us,” they said, their voices barely more than the soft rustle of leaves, “why should we stay? We would gladly live with you if you cherished us as we deserve.”
A wave of understanding crashed over me. In that moment, clarity washed through my mind like a cleansing rain. I realized what I had done—or rather, what I hadn’t done. Books are not merely objects to be stacked on shelves, left to gather dust. They are companions, offering wisdom, comfort, and joy. They are doorways into new worlds, gateways to different perspectives. And I had taken them for granted.
From that day forward, I vowed to treat my books with the respect and care they deserved. I cleaned the dusty covers, arranged them with pride, and took the time to immerse myself in the stories and lessons within their pages. I revisited old favorites and discovered new ones, rekindling the joy I had once felt. As I did so, the books seemed to return—one by one—quietly finding their places back on the shelves, as if they had forgiven me for my neglect.
With this newfound understanding, I became an advocate for books. I shared my revelation with my friends and juniors, urging them to treasure their books. “If you wish to find success in life, become the best friend of your books,” I would tell them. “They will never abandon you, unlike fleeting acquaintances.”
In the following weeks, I felt myself transform. Each book I read opened my eyes a little wider, helping me understand the world and myself in new ways. They became my guiding lights, illuminating paths I hadn’t even known existed. Life without books—a prospect I had never seriously considered—now seemed like a frightening, desolate existence. Their absence had shown me just how vital they were, not just as sources of knowledge but as constant companions in an ever-changing world.
I thought of great minds like Rabindranath Tagore, who had shaped his life through books. His vast, nuanced understanding of the world wasn’t born in isolation; it had been nurtured by the countless volumes he had read. It was books that had sculpted him into the visionary he became.
Now, standing at the threshold of this new chapter in my life, I am determined to carry forward this lesson. Books are more than ink on paper; they are the essence of knowledge, the distillation of human experience and wisdom. They hold mirrors to our lives, helping us learn from the triumphs and failures of others, and guiding us toward better versions of ourselves.
So, to all who are reading this, let me say: cherish your books. They are not mere objects; they are companions, teachers, and friends. They will open doors to worlds you have never imagined and help you understand the world you live in. Cultivate a bond with them, and they will never leave you. They will always be there, waiting patiently, ready to share their magic whenever you need it most.
Group Members
Srinika Choudhury
Adrika Bhattacharya
Navika Ghosh
Madhusree Roy
Toushini Bhattacharya
Eliza Pervin
Anusree Roy
