The Book That Came Back

Part One

Ren loved the big blue book about the moon. She read it twice. Then it was time to take it back.

She handed it to the librarian. He put it back on the shelf. Ren waved goodbye and walked home.

The next morning, Ren opened the front door. And there, on the porch mat, sat the book!

Ren frowned. She was certain she had returned it. She carried it back to the library again.

The next day, it was on her porch once more. “How mysterious,” said Ren. “It keeps coming home.”

“Maybe it likes you,” said Mom. “Or maybe it is a magical book.” Ren was not so sure.

That night, Ren set her alarm. She wanted to see who was bringing the book. Mom said she would help.

At dawn, they sat quietly by the window. The street was gray and silent.

Then something small and soft padded up the steps. It had a book in its mouth!

It was the library cat, Mabel. She was gray with one white paw. She carried the book carefully to the mat.

Mabel dropped the book. Then she circled three times. She curled up right on top of it.

“She is using it as a pillow!” Ren whispered excitedly. Mom covered her mouth to stop laughing.

The porch mat was in the sunshine. It was the warmest spot on the whole street. Mabel purred and shut her eyes.

Ren returned the book. The librarian laughed when she told him. “Mabel loves a sunny nap,” he said.

Now Ren reads on her porch every morning. Mabel sleeps beside her. And the book stays right where it belongs.