The town library was a grand, old building with high ceilings, large windows, and the comforting scent of aged paper. Elen had been there a few times before, usually for school projects, but he'd never really explored it properly. Today, he felt a different kind of pull, a thirst for knowledge that went beyond mere academic requirements.
As he stepped inside, the hushed atmosphere enveloped him, a stark contrast to the bustling world outside. He made his way to the front desk, where a woman with kind eyes and a warm smile sat organizing some books. She looked up as Elen approached.
"Hello there," she said, her voice soft and welcoming. "How can I help you today?"
Elen hesitated for a moment. He wasn't quite sure how to explain what he was looking for. "I...I'd like to find some books," he said, feeling a bit awkward.
The librarian smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of course! We have plenty of those. What kind of books are you interested in?"
Elen shifted slightly, feeling a bit self-conscious under her gaze. He was used to people his age looking for adventure novels or comic books. He wasn't sure how she'd react to his interests. "I'm interested in...mathematics and astronomy," he said, the words feeling a bit strange coming out of his mouth. "Mathematics was always...fun for me," he added, "and I've always liked looking at the stars."
The librarian's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. It wasn't every day that a young boy his age asked for books on such subjects. But her smile quickly returned, genuine and encouraging. "That's wonderful!" she exclaimed. "It's always a pleasure to see a young person with such...refined tastes. We have excellent collections in both those areas. Follow me, I'll show you."
She led him through the maze of towering bookshelves, her hand gently guiding him. Elen was mesmerized by the sheer volume of books surrounding him. It was like being in a giant repository of human knowledge, a place where he could lose himself for hours, exploring different worlds and ideas.
The librarian stopped at the mathematics section, a long row of shelves filled with books on algebra, geometry, calculus, and more. "Here's our mathematics collection," she said, gesturing to the shelves. "We have everything from the basics to advanced theories. Feel free to browse and see what catches your eye."
Elen's eyes widened as he scanned the titles. He saw books on equations, proofs, and mathematical concepts that looked both challenging and fascinating. He felt a surge of excitement, a hunger to learn about the elegant logic and intricate beauty of numbers and shapes.
He spent a long time in the mathematics section, carefully examining different books, reading the summaries on the back covers, and trying to decide which ones to choose. He was drawn to books on number theory and geometry, topics that had always intrigued him.
After a while, the librarian approached him again. "Finding anything interesting?" she asked.
Elen looked up, his arms already laden with several mathematics books. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "These are amazing! I had no idea there were so many incredible ideas and concepts in mathematics."
The librarian chuckled softly. "Mathematics is full of surprises," she said. "And you seem to have a good eye for interesting ones. Are you also interested in astronomy?"
Elen nodded. "Yes," he said. "I want to learn more about the universe, about the stars and planets and galaxies."
"Excellent," the librarian said. "Our astronomy section is just over here." She led him to another part of the library, where the shelves were filled with books on astrophysics, cosmology, and the history of space exploration.
Elen was equally fascinated by the astronomy section. He saw books on black holes, distant galaxies, the Big Bang theory, and the search for extraterrestrial life. He picked up a few books that looked particularly interesting, including one on the constellations and another on the mysteries of dark matter.
By the time Elen was done, his arms were full of books. He made his way back to the front desk, where the librarian smiled at his impressive haul.
"Quite a selection," she said, impressed. "You've certainly chosen some challenging but rewarding reads. I hope you enjoy them."
"I will," Elen said, his eyes shining with excitement. "Thank you so much for your help."
The librarian beamed. "You're very welcome, Elen. Please come back anytime. It's always a pleasure to see a young mind eager to learn."
As Elen walked out of the library, the heavy stack of books in his arms, he felt a sense of exhilaration. He had found a new passion, a new way to explore the world and expand his understanding. He couldn't wait to dive into the books and immerse himself in the fascinating worlds of mathematics and astronomy.
When Elen got home, he eagerly showed his parents the books he had chosen. His mother, Mary, was pleased to see him so enthusiastic about something other than his usual quiet reading. His father, David, however, was particularly intrigued by Elen's newfound interest in astronomy.
"That's quite a collection you've got there, son," David said, examining the astronomy books with a thoughtful expression. "You know, I've always been fascinated by the stars myself. I remember when I was a lad, I used to spend hours lying in the backyard, looking up at the night sky and wondering what was out there."
Elen's eyes lit up. "Really, Dad? You did?"
David chuckled. "Aye, I did. And you know what? For your ninth birthday, I think I'm going to get you a telescope. How does that sound?"
Elen's face broke into a wide grin. "That would be amazing, Dad! Thank you!"
Mary smiled, watching the exchange between father and son. "Well, it seems like you've found yourself a new passion, Elen. I'm glad to see you so excited about something."
That night, after finishing his homework, Elen didn't waste any time. He spread his new books on his desk and began to delve into the world of mathematics and astronomy. He started with algebra, eager to learn the language of equations and formulas. Then he moved on to geometry, fascinated by the elegant logic of shapes and angles. And finally, he picked up his astronomy book, his mind already soaring among the stars and galaxies.