Adam seemed a little impatient as he looked back and forth at the stones flashing red. Finally, he got tired, 5 minutes had passed, and the person still couldn't climb the steps. Adam decided to kill time doing something else. He looked to the sides of him, and there seemed to be no one around the aisle made up of bookshelves.
With some hesitation, Adam approached a shelf and tried to take one of his books, but someone's voice interrupted him:
—Aren't you too young to be looking at things you can't read, boy?
Adam looked in the direction the sound was coming from and it was the bookshelf, the face of what appeared to be an old woman was formed on one of the wooden frames of the bookcase. The face was also made of wood and seemed to be part of the decoration on the shelf.
—Looks like someone got sick on the stairs—Adam answered, looking to the sides of the hallway and making sure no one saw him.—So I have free time
—Cheerful and innocent— he began to recite the bookshelf with a happy smile and a granny's voice —Oh youth, when we didn't know the secrets of this world, when everything seemed like a joyful walk.
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But the smile on the wooden face stopped abruptly as if a bitter thought had crossed his mind, and he looked at Adam seriously, while he said:
—But you must be careful, young man! Not all bookshelves are as good as mine. Some old bookshelves hold secrets that must be forgotten. There are also evil bookshelves that will tell you lies to deceive you. Never trust unknown bookshelves!
Adam nodded and then with some fear he moved his head to look to the sides. But no one had heard the screams from the bookshelf.
—Well— he continued, speaking to the bookshelf—I know you don't know how to read any language. But there is a book of mine that contains a secret. It's on the third shelf. It is the one with the yellow back, inscribed with the phrase: 'Paper and Moles'. But if you take it, promise me: You will never look for another book from this hexagon until you get your black robe!
—I promise!—Adam said with a happy smile as he reached for the book.
Finally, Adam found it and opened it. He did not understand anything that was written, but he began to search through its pages until he found a page that caught his attention: It was completely golden, and its characters seemed different from those of the entire book.
—Why to buy yourself some new shoes—said the granny on the shelf with a smile—and a few sweets. But remember, just as there are treasures, there are also terrible secrets!
Adam nodded in happiness several times, tore out the gold page, and returned the book to the shelf.
It seemed that the stone of the door of the stairs flickers less and less. Noticing this, Adam walked quickly to the door. But with one difference: he no longer cared about covering his dusty shoes.