Lucy was so busy admiring her shimmering pebble that she didn't notice the soft purr right beside her ear. She jumped a little, turning to see a magnificent black and white cat sitting patiently on a velvet cushion. He wore a tiny, smart bowtie, and his whiskers twitched politely. His eyes were like two bright green emeralds, full of quiet knowing.
‘Welcome, little one,’ the cat purred, his voice as smooth as cream. ‘You have discovered our library. My name is Barnaby, and I am the librarian here.’ Lucy blinked. A cat librarian! My word, this place was full of surprises.
‘You’ve been tasting the Ham-and-History and the Mustard Mystery, I see,’ Barnaby said, with a knowing flick of his tail. ‘They are splendid tales, aren’t they?’ Lucy nodded eagerly. ‘But to truly understand these stories, dear Lucy, you must learn to be a true witness. You must be calm, yet alert. Your mind must be quiet, like a still pond reflecting the sky, so the stories can show themselves clearly.’