New Bedtime Story: Finding Solace in the Library
Lily adjusts to life on her own in Courage Town while her sister is away in Scale City...
Welcome back for a new bedtime story!
Today’s story follows young dragon, Lily, as she adjusts to being alone while her sister, Carrie, is away with Hanna in Courage Town for the Fire Carnival.
Here’s a link to the full Princess Hanna series:
And here’s a link to the previous story that followed Lily’s story:
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Thanks and please enjoy today’s story!
While Princess Hanna and Carrie were off in Scale City where all the action was, Carrie’s little sister, Lily, was left back home in Courage Town, all on her own. Lily was a lot younger than her sister, Carrie, and she didn’t have a best friend like Carrie had Hanna.
Initially, Lily had begged and begged to be allowed to go along with Carrie to the Fire Carnival. In the end, Lily and Carrie’s mums decided it was for the best that only Carrie went. Even if it meant a little bit of tough love.
Carrie’s parents knew it was going to be difficult for Lily, but they also knew that Carrie needed to do what she needed to do and that it would be good for her to have some time in the big city with Hanna. They loved how much Carrie looked after Lily, but they also knew that looking after your little sister all of the time can be a big responsibility. It would be good for Carrie to have some time alone with her Hanna. With time, Lily would adjust. At the end of the day, it was going to be a learning experience for Lily. She was going to learn that sometimes you’re on your own for a little bit in life.
Lily was miserable at first, but her parents hoped that things would be easier during school days. Maybe she could even make some new friends.
Lily wasn’t used to walking to and from school without her big sister. She felt an extra sting of loneliness that she wasn’t used to. The silence of the walk felt weird. She missed having her sister to talk to. She missed the sound of Hanna chatting away.
Lily kicked stones along the path on her way to school, huffing and puffing, dreading it. In class, she felt lonely and on edge. It didn’t matter that she had almost always been on her own in class anyway. Her sister’s class was way across the other side of the building. It just felt different now though.
Usually, at lunchtime, she would have been hanging out with Carrie and Hanna near the trees. Carrie and Hanna would talk with each other and Lily would listen along. She rarely spoke, but that didn’t matter.
Now that they were gone, Lily went to the library where it felt more normal to be alone and she wouldn’t feel as judged. She grabbed a history book and sat down to flick through it.
She landed on a page with a monstrous, fierce-looking dragon with fire red scales and fire red eyes. The dragon looked furious as he stared out at Lily. She was frightened but fascinated.
She started to read his story. His name was King Ash and his reign had been ruthless. A hundred years ago, he was once the ruler of Scale City. It was a time of many battles – none of which King Ash lost.
He was a fierce but honourable leader. He was elected into leadership, voted for by the dragons of Scale City, not simply born into it. He didn’t have any family at all and he never married. According to the book Lily was reading, King Ash had done everything alone. He was his own parental guiding figure. He was his own mentor and teacher. He was his own best friend.
Lily had never heard of anyone like that. She didn’t realise that sort of life was even an option. There was something inspiring about King Ash’s story. It wasn’t just his big muscles and scary expression that made him seem strong. It was his approach to life. It was the fact that he had done everything on his own. No family, no friends. Just him against the world.
Lily thought it all over. If Carrie was going to be off in Scale City with Hanna and she was going to be left on her own in Courage Town, then maybe she should embrace her solitude. Maybe she didn’t need her sister, Carrie, anyway. Maybe she didn’t need anyone. She could just be like King Ash and do her own thing. With time, she could be just as strong as he was and it could be her face and her story in that history book as well. Now that’s power, she thought to herself. Be able to do everything on your own and then there’s no one that can stop you.
Her nose moved in closer to the page in front of her. She was completely absorbed by the wonders she was reading. It was like everything she knew about life was suddenly changing right in front of her.
“Ah, old King Ash,” said a sudden voice beside Lily.
Lily was caught off guard and looked up from her book to find Mrs Sketcher standing just beside her. Mrs Sketcher was the dragon who looked after and ran the Courage Town library.
The library didn’t have many books, but Mrs Sketcher always did the absolute best with what she had and did everything she could to make the library into a beautiful little oasis for all.
“He was a tough cookie, that King Ash,” said Mrs Sketcher, “but there is no denying that he took good care of Scale City.”
Mrs Sketcher went on, “You know, Lily, I was thinking and I believe I know someone you might get along with.”
Lily felt instantly resistant. She was caught up with King Ash’s story. For the first time in her life, she felt like she didn’t need anyone. She was lost in the excitement and enormity of King Ash’s world. She was fired up! She didn’t want to make a new friend; she wanted to rule the city! She wanted to plot and plan her new life.
That was when Lily noticed the young dragon that Mrs Sketcher was talking about was already standing just behind her.
Part Two coming soon!
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