There’s a Dragon Slayer in my school!

There’s a Librarian in our school. Her name is Ms. Lee. She’s not like other Librarians. For starters, she doesn’t wear horn rimmed glasses or shushes you at the slightest pin drop. Although she does have a navy-blue cardigan that’s snug around her sculpted shoulders. She’s really tall but don’t let her size fool you. 

As the only Librarian in our school, she’s really busy. I used to think that it was the best job in the world because you could read books all day long but one day while coming back from recess, I saw her tottering out of the library with… soot on her face?

I asked Ms. Lee what had happened. “Dragons,” she tells me. They were apparently being unruly inside the thick red book which caused it to start snapping away at the other books that started running all over the library!

I begged if I could help her tame the mythical beast. “No can do, you’ll be late for class. Maybe next time!” She winks. 

The next time I saw Ms. Lee was during our class trip to the library. She greets us at the door, reminding us to be very careful with the books.

While everyone beelines to their favorite space, I stay right by her. “Did you fight the Dragon again?” I sort the new books that Ms. Lee purchased for the library in alphabetical order. 

“Not today,” she smiles kindly at me. “However, I did meet a huge fluffy red dog. He was absolutely massive!” Her hands wave above her head in exaggeration.

I pleaded with her to join her adventures. They were so much better than computer lessons that none of us pay attention to. I never really understood the idea of fruits dressed up like humans talking to each other as entertainment. 

But just like the other day, Ms. Lee shakes her head. “Another time perhaps.” I was disappointed but determined to convince our school librarian that I would be the best and most trustworthy custodian of the library. 

I usually dread Mondays but this Monday would be different. I practiced my speech to Ms. Lee to convince her to let me in the library during her sacred time before the opening of the library. I imagine that she wouldn’t be too pleased but I was also very determined. 

“Please Ms. Lee, I promise I’ll listen to every word you say. I’ll be the best student librarian you ever had!” The second part was true for I was probably the only student who would be brave (and slightly insane) to knock on her door at seven in the morning. 

Ms. Lee gives me a long hard look that could make even students running amok in the library cower under her stare. I make it a point to stand up straight under her laser gaze until she appears satisfied that whatever she was trying to sniff out did not appear. 

“Alright.” I did a little jiggle.

“But! I have three rules.” She says firmly, no room for negotiation. I nod, ready to adhere to the rules even though they suck. 

“Number One, you will stay by my side and do exactly what I tell you to do. The books that we’re going into will tempt you to stay and this will make you lose track of time. Number Two, you will keep this as a secret between us, though you are my favorite student.” 

“Deal.” I say without hesitation. “What’s the last rule?” 

“Enjoy.” Ms. Lee grins as we near the first book that was producing steam. “Are you ready?” 

Oh, what a delight it was! With Ms. Lee by my side, we venture down the rabbit hole, ready to battle the problems that were ailing the books.

The first book was a burning house where Ms. Lee steered a big fire truck that gushed out gallons of water from its hose. We jumped to another book where we had to heard a flock of sheep back into their home. My personal favorite was luring a vampire back into its box with an overripe onion. I had too much fun that I did not want to leave. 

“Oh, look at the time!” Ms. Lee admonishes. “Run along or you’ll be late.” 

I take a quick peek at the books on the desk, some looking worse for wear. Ms. Lee assures me that with some good magic (and old-fashioned tape), the books will be back to normal in no time, ready to find another eager child ready to delve into the many worlds that the library has to offer. I leave the library for Math’s class, marveling at the magnificent number of portals it had. Oh! I just had to tell someone! 

My excitement was clearly visible that I was bouncing off the seats! Amy looks at me like I had a hot potato under my seat. “What’s the matter with you? Can’t you sit still?” 

I open my mouth, ready to tell her about my wild adventures. Her eyes go wide and I expect her to be impressed, wanting in on the magic that I had just experienced. 

What I didn’t expect was for her to call me a liar. 

“It’s true!” I tell her only to get more funny stares from everyone. “Only babies believe in magic.” They tease. 

I’m in tears by the time I reach my only sanctuary in school during lunch. A frown forms on Ms. Lee’s face when she hears my story. 

“That’s what I was afraid of,” she sighs. “Not many people believe in the magic the library has to offer.” Ms. Lee gives me a comforting pat. “How about we do something special today?” 

With a snap of her fingers, we’re transported away to the lush highlands. Ms. Lee saddles me onto a magnificent horse, telling me that we were to deliver the stolen crown from a bunch of nasty bandits to the rightful Queen. So that’s why the book constantly had ripped pages.

I see the snarling bandit’s sword threatening to make a nasty appearance that was mere inches away from my head. Gathering all my strength, I will Betsy the horse to gallop as fast as she can. 

As the wind brushes against my cheek, the feeling I have in my chest is intense yet exhilarating. We safely reach the palace, with Ms. Lee even making a guard fall off his horse. I hand the crown to her but she insists that it should be me to deliver the crown. 

“I want you to fully experience the magic that this book has to offer.” 

I felt overwhelmed by the sheer size of the castle but I couldn’t disappoint Ms. Lee. After all, I was her best student Librarian that she trusted. 

Receiving a hero’s welcome, I bow to the Queen who tells me I have done a great service. She declares that as I am the greatest warrior to ever live! With a wave of her magnificent staff, a warm glow forms around me, making my body feel as light as a feather. I close my eyes to shield them from the spark and when I open them, I find myself back in the library together with Ms. Lee and the book that has been restored, the heavy feeling in my heart nearly gone. 

Ms. Lee tells me firmly that not many people can do what she does. She tells me to be proud as it takes great skill to be a keeper of books at such a young age and to understand the magic behind each and every book. 

“Not everyone will understand the power of books and that’s okay.” She explains. “As long as we believe in it, that’s enough to make the world a slightly less horrid place to live in.” Her eyes twinkle, slotting the mended book into its rightful place. “Perhaps one day, you’ll be a keeper of these wonderful books too.” 

From that day on, whenever I needed an escape or when things got too heavy for me to shoulder on my own, I would run to the library to see what sort of adventures Ms. Lee was up to. I would always try to tell my best friends about my escapades, but just as what Ms. Lee had said, not everyone could understand the magic that some of us possess to unlock the mysteries of these beautiful books. 

Although sometimes I swear, I still see Ms. Lee occasionally mopping up water from a soggy page or two.