The World Builders Writing Club is a diverse group of aspiring authors who meet once a month and showcase some of their work on the Free Library blog.

Please enjoy this first look at a new work-in-progress by one of our writers—you may never see books in the same way again!

The Basics – Part One

By Ruth L. Lewis

When I was a youngster I found a book in the top draw of my mother’s vanity table. It was covered in a beautiful red velvet fabric, and hidden, which I took to mean it was off limits and of an adult nature. Immediately intrigued, I sat down on the floor next to the vanity and began to explore the content.

As I began to read, the descriptive prose illuminated the pages, but the language seemed strange. The language was not used in a familiar way, but I pretended to understand it and kept on reading. The book had many pages, a small tome that consisted of many books that described lost civilizations inhabited by people who were introduced by name or character, deed or misdeeds. The messages were sometimes written as laws, and no matter what was taking place, or where in the world events occurred, the message stayed consistent, concrete no matter what the context.

I would retrieve the book, day after day, whenever it felt safe to do so, and resume the fantastic tales and voyages into wonderlands of tragedy, magic, and humor, all written with an epic grace.

I went to places I had never hear of or read about before. I would turn those pages never knowing what would await my rapt attention and delight in all its wisdom and knowledge. I repeated verses and phrases, committing them to memory, which in turn affected the way I began to understand life, even as young as I was.

One day, my mother walked into the room, startling me, and I tried to hide the book—not a successful move. She asked what I was reading, and I meekly withdrew the book from behind my back. I began by telling her how innocently I had found the book and went on to describe the wonders I had encountered since reading it. When I finished she smiled and said, “Honey, this is the Bible, or The Basic—Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Everyone should read it and incorporate its wisdom into their worldly lives. You did a good thing finding this book. Now study and apply its instructions. You are gaining the knowledge, wisdom and grace of the lord. Don’t ever feel doubtful or embarrassed by embracing the Word.”

And I have been reading this book ever since.