The Secret Stairway in the Library

 

On a cool autumn evening, eleven-year-old Jade sat in the school library, flipping through a heavy old book. She’d arrived early for a reading club meeting, which had just been canceled, and no one else was around. While idly scanning the dusty shelves, her eyes caught sight of something unusual behind a row of encyclopedia volumes—a faint outline of what looked like a small door.

Jade’s heartbeat quickened. She pushed aside the encyclopedias and discovered a wooden panel. Slowly, she pried it open. A dark, narrow staircase led downward, dimly lit by tiny bulbs along the wall.

She hesitated. The library was supposed to close soon. But curiosity tugged at her, and she decided to explore. Step by careful step, Jade descended the winding stairs. They ended in a cramped corridor that smelled of old paper and candle wax. At the far end stood another door—larger, with intricate carving along its frame.

Gently pushing it open, Jade stepped into a spacious hidden room. It felt ancient yet warm, with shelves upon shelves of faded, antique books and scrolls. A small wooden table held a brass lamp flickering softly, as though waiting for someone to visit. Each book had ornate covers, and the spines were stamped with shimmering symbols she didn’t recognize.

Jade picked up a book titled “Forgotten Fables” and flipped through pages brimming with stories of far-off lands, talking animals, and brave explorers. She realized these were tales she had never seen in any library catalog—like someone had curated a secret collection. Hours drifted by as she devoured each strange and magical account.

A sudden clank startled her. The brass lamp on the table flickered dangerously low. Realizing it must be past closing time, Jade carefully returned the books to their shelves. She hurried back up the winding staircase, through the panel door, and replaced the encyclopedias so no one would notice her discovery.

That night, tucked into bed, Jade couldn’t stop thinking about the hidden library. It felt like she’d stepped into a dream. Although part of her wanted to tell someone about the secret books, she also felt protective of the hidden place. She decided she’d return—perhaps next time, she could bring a notebook to record the strange titles and stories.

As sleep drifted over her, Jade imagined herself in those “Forgotten Fables,” wandering through enchanted forests and uncovering lost treasures. She smiled at the thought that, while everyone else believed the school library to be ordinary, a secret world lay just beyond a hidden door in the shelves—waiting patiently for curious minds to discover it.