The old box

Last weekend, Lucy and Tom were helping their grandmother to tidy her house. In a dark, narrow room behind the kitchen, they found a huge wooden box. It was so heavy that they couldn't move it. The wood was rough, but on the front there was a lovely pattern of tiny flowers. Tom thought that it must be very old.

When they opened it, there was a strange smell of old paper. Inside, there were some heavy iron keys and a thick book with a smooth leather cover. Under the book, Lucy found a shiny metal box that looked brand new. In it, there was a colourful striped scarf, and it still smells of flowers.

Their grandmother had not seen the box for fifty years. She explained that her own mother had kept her favourite things in it. She said quietly that the scarf was old-fashioned now, but that she still loved it. Lucy asked if she could wear it to school on Monday. Her grandmother laughed and gave it to her.