Mithila had borrowed a book from the school library — a beautiful illustrated science book. One day, in a tug-of-war with her little sister, a page tore.
On the day it was due, Mithila thought: if I tuck the page inside, no one will notice. But her heart would not agree.
She went to the librarian and said: 'Apa, a page tore through my carelessness. I'm sorry. Can I pay to mend it from my savings?'
The librarian was quiet a moment, then smiled: 'The page can be mended — we have tape. But what you showed today can't be mended; it has to be earned.' From that day Mithila was the library's 'book friend' — the first to get every new book.