The embracing silence beats back the cacophony of road noise, and I already feel safe.
A warm sunlit vestibule opens onto a room that seems, to my eight year old eyes, to be filled, from floor to ceiling, with books.
My mum gently leads me into these wondrous new worlds.
What brings me here?
Times are tough, but returning to my hometown seems strange.
Then I see why.
This building I know so well.
The shadowy vestibule opens to a garishly lit room containing weary bookcases on a threadbare carpet.
Smiling, I think of mum, and walk on in wonder.
So, my dad told me all these amazing tales, but my mum showed me where to find the rest of the world’s stories. Our local library was always my safe place when I was growing up. The smell of the books. The comforting silence away from the din of real life. The genuine belief that these seemingly endless tomes contained the last of the only real magic left. And, even now, I still hold true to that. Every child should be able to experience that wondrous feeling. However, depressingly, far too many libraries are still being shut down, and are seen as the first port of call when council budget cuts are being imposed. They are vital, particularly in deprived communities, when it comes to improving literacy and supporting health and well being. They need to be supported far better than they currently are for all these reasons.
Anyway, both these stories were also inspired by two great 50 word prompts. One from about “Beginnings” and the other from about “Rejuvenation.” Thanks very much guys.
I also wanted to highlight these two lovely stories by about the memories of childhood and the joys of parenthood : -
Hope you enjoyed them.
Thanks for reading. Until next time.
These are awesome. We've all had that warm feeling that comes over your body when you enter a room filled with books.
The vivid descriptions of the library and the emotional connection to your mum bring the memories to life. The commentary on the importance of libraries, especially for children, adds depth and relevance. Great work capturing the essence of these experiences in just 50 words.