Penelope & The Hidden Library

              Princess Penelope & The Hidden Library


          Princess Penelope was a very lucky girl. Her mother & father -the King & Queen- loved her very much, she had beautiful clothes and many friends and pretty much everything a princess could want. What Princess Penelope loved most of all was her home Castle Clarion.
Princess Penelope loved exploring and discovering new rooms and the secrets hidden within. The castle was so big she had only been through half of it so far. Each morning when she awoke she thought about what area she would explore that day and what treasures she might find. Today she would explore a part of the castle that was going to be renovated soon. She was unhappy about the renovations, but her mother said it must be done. The castle had been the same for hundreds of years and she liked it the way it was. After breakfast she got ready to set out, she made sure she had everything she needed- flashlight, check, water bottle, check, camera, check, good; supplies ready.

                Princess Penelope reached the room she passed by so often before and noticed something quite strange. At the bottom of the door, right in the middle, was another door a little one about six inches high. At first Princess Penelope thought it might be a cat door but see the thing is; it had a doorknob on it. “How very strange. Why in the world would anyone make a tiny little door like that, there’s no use for it?” she wondered. Just then the door opened and out walked a mouse wearing a suit and a top hat; he spotted Princess Penelope and stopped in amazement. They looked at each other for a moment then they both screamed and ran in opposite directions. At first Princess Penelope was so shocked she didn’t know what to think. Then her inquisitive nature took over and she became very excited. “This is the best discovery yet- a mouse dressed and walking like a person. How absolutely wonderful! I must go back.” She thought.

                Slowly and quietly she headed back to the door so she wouldn’t scare the mouse if he was there. He wasn’t there. “Well I suppose I should knock.” She thought. Before she could; the mouse peeked his head out the door. As before the two looked at each other, Princess Penelope smiled and the mouse smiled back. “Allow me to introduce myself.” He said. “I am Mr. Whipple. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” “How Very delightful he is.” Thought the Princess.
“I sir, am Princess Penelope and the pleasure is all mine.” She replied. “Well please do come in,” said Mr. Whipple and he indicated the little door.  The Princess looked at the little door and said “Well I really don’t think…” “Oh my, of course not. How silly of me, please by all means use the big door.” He replied. The princess entered the library and was just a little disappointed to find that there was nothing special about it at all. The princess asked “ Is this where you live Mr. Whipple?” “Oh no, not at all, this is just a go between room” “Shall we sit down and have a little chat and you can tell me how it is that you’ve come to be so extraordinary Mr. Whipple?” asked the Princess. “Yes indeed.” Mr. Whipple replied.

            “Well hundreds of years ago there was a magician staying here Merlin was his name.” “Wait,” said the Princess. “You don’t mean the Merlin?” “Why yes I do. Now please let me continue. Where was I? Ah yes, Merlin. At that time Merlin was very lonely, he only had the mice to keep him company; he spoke to them often but of course they didn’t speak back. So he decided to use a bit of magic to give them intelligence and other human abilities. Of course the magic would end once his visit to the castle was over; but something happened. Merlin became so fond of the mice he couldn’t bare to return them to their former state. He decided to put an enchantment around the library so that everyone would pass it by.” “Well it certainly worked. I’ve passed it many times.” “So the magic passes down through the generations?” asked the Princess. Mr. Whipple thought a moment and replied. “Yes, but I don’t know if that was intentional.” “I think it’s time you met the rest of the town,” said Mr. Whipple.” “I’d love to.” Replied the princess. “Give me a few moments to speak with them and I’ll call you in.” he said. 

              Princess Penelope was beside herself with excitement. This was absolutely the best, most amazing, and incredible thing she had ever discovered! Shortly Mr. Whipple returned and led her into what turned out to be an enormous ballroom. Inside was built a huge mouse town. “Why, there must be hundreds of mice that live here.” Princess Penelope thought in astonishment. Mr. Whipple announced her to the mice but said of course there are way to many of them to be introduced individually. Over time she would get to know them all. After getting a good look at the Princess they all went back to their busy little lives.

              “I have a question,” said the Princess. “If the door is protected; why did I not pass it by this time?” “That,” said Mr. Whipple. Is a very good question and one
I must find the answer to; all of our lives depend on it.”
“I would love to help you but I must be getting back. Nanny will be looking for me.” Said the Princess. “Of course dear completely understandable but please do come back and visit.” Mr. Whipple replied. “Oh don’t worry, I’ll be back tomorrow morning.” Said Princess Penelope.

        That night as the Princess lay in bed trying to sleep she remembered something “The renovations!” she screamed. “Oh my goodness.” “What am I going to do?” “They will be destroyed; all of them!” “That whole area is scheduled to be demolished! There must be something I can do,” she thought. The rest of that night she tossed and turned and worried.

            That day when she met with Mr. Whipple she told him about the plans for the renovations. As expected he was very upset. “I can find you a new place to live,” said the princess.  “You don’t understand,” replied Mr. Whipple The magic is only good here. We cannot leave.” “ We must do something!” said the Princess in desperation. “ I still don’t understand why the magic isn’t working. The Amulet has always worked. This part of the castle has been practically invisible for hundreds of years. Why now has the Queen become aware of it?” “I’m so sorry!” the Princess cried. “I wish I could change my mother’s mind but once she decides to do something she will do it.” Mr. Whipple decided he better tell everyone the news. What a sad, sad day.

              “Wait, did you say Amulet, what Amulet?” asked the Princess. “Why, the amulet on the door of course; the amulet that keeps us hidden. Answered Mr. Whipple.
Princess Penelope said “ I’m sorry to tell you Mr. Whipple but there isn’t anything on the door.” “ Good heavens!” he said and ran to check for himself. “ Why your right. That explains it then; It’s the amulet that’s kept us hidden and now it is gone and soon we shall be gone.” “Maybe we can find it. I’ll go look around outside the library.” She searched and searched but turned up nothing that looked like an amulet. She went back to give the bad news to Mr. Whipple, but she wasn’t ready to give up. “Describe it to Me. ” she said.
“Well it’s red about the size of me and it’s shaped like a diamond.” Said Mr. Whipple.

    Princess Penelope gasped and ran from the room. One of the Princesses favorite things to do was hunt the castle for treasures and on one such occasion she found something that sounded very much like what Mr. Whipple just described. The Princess found it in one of her chests and rushed back to the magic library. She showed it to Mr. Whipple “ Is this it! Is it? Is it?” A huge smile spread across Mr. Whipple’s face. “Indeed it is my dear, indeed it is. You have saved us all. However can we thank you?” Just being able to come visit you all will be thanks enough.” She said. Later that day the Queen suddenly decided she no longer had any interest in renovating the castle. (Thanks to the Amulet) Princess Penelope continued to go on her adventures in the castle and she had many wonderful times visiting the magical library.