JD and JJ crouched side by side, carefully balancing colorful blocks into a towering skyscraper, their faces intent and hands steady. Nearby, Bernice spun in dizzy circles, her arms outstretched and her voice rising in a silly, joyful song. On the table, three books watched in patient silence, pages pressed closed.
Aunty Ruth entered with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling as she took in the scene.
"What are these lonely books doing here?"
"We don’t need them! We’re busy."
"Reading is slow. Blocks are faster!"
"And more fun!"
"Are you sure about that?" Aunty Ruth chuckled softly, glancing with secret amusement at the unopened books.
Aunty Ruth[/@ch_3] picks one up, her movements gentle and inviting. The room quiets, curiosity shifting the air. The children pause, their attention now drawn to the mysterious promise of the book.]
Aunty Ruth holds the book aloft, her expression playful and wise.
"I have a challenge. Let’s read just one page. If it’s boring, we stop."
JD and JJ exchanged skeptical glances, but their interest was piqued.
"One page?"
"One page," Aunty Ruth confirmed, patting the space beside her on the couch. The children clustered close, the blocks and spinning momentarily forgotten.
Aunty Ruth[/@ch_3] opens the book, her voice filling the room. The children settle in, their anticipation growing as the story draws them in. The living room seems to shrink, walls fading as their imaginations take flight.]
Aunty Ruth begins to read, weaving a tale of children who discover a hidden treasure map inside a dusty library book.
JD leans closer, eyes wide with excitement, while JJ stops fidgeting, spellbound.
Bernice sits perfectly still, her gaze fixed on the illustrations as if she might climb inside the page.
"Wait… what happens next?"
Aunty Ruth gently closes the book, her smile mischievous.
"Oh dear. That was just one page."
The children gasp in protest, their eagerness written in every line of their faces.
JD grabs the book, determination shining in his eyes.
"I’ll read the next part!"
He sounds out the words, stumbling but persistent, while JJ helps him with the trickier ones.
Bernice leans over, her finger tracing the colorful pictures.
Together, they tumble through jungles, cross stormy oceans, and tiptoe into secret caves—all while nestled together on the couch, their laughter and gasps blending with the turning of pages.
JD grins, a new light in his eyes.
"That felt like a real adventure."
JJ nods, her skepticism replaced with wonder.
"I didn’t know books could do that."
Bernice clutches the book to her chest, beaming.
"I like reading."
Aunty Ruth watches them, pride shining on her face.
"Books are doors. When you read, you open them."
The children hurry to choose another story, their hands greedy for new adventures. The books, once lonely, now glow with life, ready to whisk them away once more.
