Ella was eight years old, and she had a very clear opinion about books. “Reading is boring,” she said. “The letters are tiny, and the pages never end.” That fall Saturday, it rained and rained at Grandma Rose's house.
Ella watched the rain through the window, her chin in her hand. There was nothing to do. Or so she thought.
Suddenly, she spotted a folded piece of paper on the green armchair. It had a drawing of a key and a few words in blue ink. “If you dare to look for the treasure, check page twelve of the pirate book.”
Ella looked at Grandma, who was knitting quietly by the fireplace. “I don't know a thing,” said Grandma, with a very tiny smile.
Ella went to the bookshelf in the hallway and found the pirate book. On page twelve, there was a ship, a storm and a very brave captain. Without even noticing, she read the whole page to find out what happened.
Between the pages was another note: “Now find the book about the stars.” She found it right away and read how sailors followed the stars so they wouldn't get lost. And there was the third clue: “The last secret sleeps where memories are kept.”
“Where are memories kept?” Ella whispered, thinking hard. She thought about photo albums, about drawers, about old boxes…
“The attic!” she cried, and tiptoed up the stairs. The attic smelled like old wood and roasted chestnuts. In a corner, under the round window, sat an old trunk.
Ella lifted the lid carefully. Her heart was beating fast. Inside was a notebook with green covers, tied with a red ribbon. The first page said: “Rose's Stories, age nine.”
There were stories about forgetful dragons, flying ships and talking cats. Ella sat down on the floor and started reading. She couldn't stop. At the end of the notebook, there were lots of blank pages, and a tiny note.
“These pages are for your stories, whenever you want them.” Just then, Grandma peeked in from the attic stairs. “Did you find the treasure?” she asked.
“I found a whole bunch,” Ella said, hugging the notebook.
That night, the rain stopped and the moon came out. Ella climbed into bed with the notebook and her little red flashlight. She read one more story, and then another, until her eyes closed.
Goodnight, Ella…
