The Lumber Room

Nicholas lived with his strict aunt and two cousins in a large country house. His aunt believed children must always behave properly and follow rules without question. Nicholas, however, was curious and imaginative, and the constant discipline often made him feel trapped. One morning the aunt announced a special treat: the cousins and another child would be taken to the seaside. Nicholas would stay home as punishment for secretly putting a frog into his breakfast bowl earlier that day.

The aunt felt proud of her clever discipline. She believed denying him the outing would teach obedience. Nicholas, though disappointed, did not protest. Instead, he noticed something interesting. The aunt spent all her attention preparing the other children for the trip, making sure their clothes were tidy and reminding them to behave. While she was busy, Nicholas quietly planned his own adventure — one far more exciting than a simple visit to the beach.

There was a room in the house called the lumber room. It was always locked, and Nicholas had long wondered what treasures might be hidden inside. His aunt kept the key carefully, but Nicholas had secretly discovered where she stored it. As soon as the other children left, the house grew quiet. The aunt went into the garden to supervise them before departure, convinced Nicholas would remain indoors reading dull books as punishment.

Nicholas seized the chance. He slipped upstairs, unlocked the lumber room, and entered. Inside he found a magical world. There were old furniture pieces, colorful tapestries, carved boxes, and strange ornaments collected over many years. One tapestry showed a hunter aiming at a stag while wolves lurked nearby. Nicholas studied it carefully, imagining endless stories — perhaps the hunter might be saved, or perhaps the wolves were waiting to strike. The scene fascinated him more than any lesson book.

He opened a carved box and discovered tiny painted figures from distant lands. He imagined battles, journeys, and mysterious kingdoms. For Nicholas, the lumber room was not a dusty storage place but a doorway to imagination. Every object suggested a story, and he felt happier there than he ever did obeying rules downstairs.

Meanwhile, outside in the garden, the aunt accidentally stepped into an empty rainwater tank covered by bushes. She fell in and could not climb out. Embarrassed and angry, she called for Nicholas to bring a ladder. He came to the garden but did not immediately help. He asked how he could be sure she was truly his aunt and not a trick, since she often warned him not to trust strangers. His calm questioning frustrated her greatly.

Eventually a servant heard the shouting and rescued her. Nicholas returned to his ordinary behavior as if nothing had happened. The aunt could not punish him without admitting her own foolishness, and Nicholas had enjoyed his secret adventure without consequences. He had discovered something important — imagination and curiosity brought him more joy than strict obedience ever could.