Lucy and the Book
Chapter 1: Lucy
Once there lived a little girl named Lucy. She had long silky blond hair that reached her toes and creamy white skin. Lucy had a rich father and she lived in a very big palace. The palace was very old and smelled like moldy cheese.
Lucy’s mother died when Lucy was very young. She didn’t remember her mother; she didn’t even remember her mother’s name.
Lucy’s father bought her many things. She had more toys than you could ever imagine. But one thing she longed for was a chapter book. She had many picture books, but no real chapter books. One day when she finally got the courage, she asked her father for a chapter book.
Her father looked at her for a long time. He didn’t think a child the age of six would want a book. He spoke in a soft voice, “I will get you a book when you turn eight years old.”
“NO!” Lucy said, “I want one now.”
Because he loved her so much, Lucy’s father agreed to take
her to buy a book. They looked in many stores, but found nothing.
Lucy’s father tried to give up, but Lucy would not let him. At last, it was dinner time and Lucy had to go home.
“I will not give up,” Lucy said, “we will try again tomorrow.”
And just like that, they turned around and walked home. They had a terrific dinner with tender chicken and fresh corn, but Lucy did not eat. She was too determined to get a book. She would not eat until she had one.
Chapter 2: The Book
Lucy woke up early the next morning. She woke up her father, too. Hopefully, this was the day she’d find her book. Lucy was so excited she ate up all of her porridge without even looking up from her bowl.
As Lucy and her father got in the carriage, they talked about the book.
“What kind of book should it be?” asked her father.
“A big book.” Lucy said.
“What subject?”
“A fairy tale,” Lucy replied, “…with a princess,” she added.
As they entered the bookstore, Lucy was amazed by all the books they had. She could have sworn it was a dream.
“Is this the store?” her father asked.
Without even answering, she walked toward the fairytale section. As she walked through the aisles, she spotted a very old leather book. She slid it off the shelf. The cover was old and dusty.
She brushed off the dust to find a picture of a little girl in a crown on the front.
“This is the book!” Lucy said.
“That’s a very big book, Lucy,” her father said. “Why not look for one in the picture section?”
“No thanks. I want this one,” Lucy said.
“Okay. Whatever you say.”
Lucy searched all over the book for a title but couldn’t find one.
“Father, can you help me find the name of this book?”
Her father looked but couldn’t find the title either. Lucy decided to flip through the pages. In the back of the book, Lucy found a pocket watch in a secret compartment.
“Father. What’s this?”
“That’s a pocket watch,” he said.
“I know…but what’s this?”
She pointed to a name engraved in the watch. The name was “Catherine Rose.”
“Why, that’s peculiar,” he said, “that must be the name of the book- The Story of Catherine Rose. Let’s ask the person in charge.”
As they approached the desk, Lucy noticed the name on the name plate. The name was “Catherine Rose.”
Chapter 3: Catherine Rose
Lucy was so stunned she nearly fainted. Her father ran to catch her and he barely made it in time.
“What happened ?” Lucy’s father asked.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” Lucy replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes I’m sure…”
Lucy slowly brushed her long, golden blond hair back behind her pale, white ears.
“I’m just confused, that’s all.”
Then, Lucy saw a very beautiful woman sit down at the front desk.
“Hello, I’m Catherine Rose. Would you like me to help you find a book?”
Lucy’s father had a surprised look on his face.
“Do I know you from somewhere?” he asked.
Catherine was very still, as if she were a statue in a museum. Lucy looked into Catherine’s eyes. She thought Catherine looked familiar too.
Then Catherine said, “I do not know who you are or where you are from. So, you cannot know me. I apologize.”
“I apologize too,” Lucy’s father replied, shaking his head.
“Oh, and by the way,” Catherine said, “You can’t get that book.”
“Why?” Lucy’s father asked.
“Because… uhh… umm, I need to read it.”
What is she hiding? Lucy thought.
“Excuse me, Miss Rose. Not to be rude, but can I please get this book? And by the way, what is the name of the book?” asked Lucy’s father.
“Wonder-struck.”
“Excuse me?”
“Wonder-struck is the name of the book. And no you cannot get it.”
“Oh please, oh please, oh please, Miss Rose!” Lucy pleaded.
