The Library of Brave Mistakes

How it begins

Mrs. Finch put the failed inventions beside the adventure books.

It seemed the fairest place.

The first donation was a spoon that made soup colder.

The second was a pair of boots that insisted on taking the scenic route.

The third arrived in a box marked PLEASE DO NOT DISPLAY THIS.

Naturally, Mrs. Finch read the letter before opening it.

Dear Librarian,

This clock was my worst mistake. It cannot tell the time correctly. I would prefer people not to know it was mine.

Yours, Miss Bell

Mrs. Finch looked through the library window.

Across the square, Miss Bell's clock shop was dark. Its owner had stopped making new things after a clock ran backward during the mayor's speech.

The mayor was still complaining.

Several villagers remembered the speech with more gratitude.

Mrs. Finch opened the box.

The clock ticked once.

Outside, the sky stayed black.

She checked the library calendar.

Morning.

She checked the other clocks.

Morning.

She opened the front door.

The baker stood in the square holding a tray of dough.

"Is it just me?"

"No," Mrs. Finch said.

A rooster on the bakery roof looked personally offended.

The donated clock ticked backward.

Somewhere behind the clouds, something made a sound like a very large machine trying to remember its job.

Mrs. Finch carried the box across the square.

Miss Bell answered on the third knock.

"I asked you not to display it."

"I'm not displaying it."

"Then why have you brought it?"

Mrs. Finch pointed toward the sky.

The rooster tried again.

Nothing happened.

Miss Bell looked at the clock.

Then at the darkness.

For a moment, her face held the terrible hope of someone being asked to try after promising herself she would not.

"It never worked properly," she said.

"Perhaps," Mrs. Finch replied, "we've finally found the wrong time that needs it."

Miss Bell reached for her coat.