The book, full of memories, quietly rots undisturbed by those who made it.
In a way, it’s a multi-media scrap book, put together by all members of a loving family from long ago. It is crammed with writings about family events, milestones and so on. It contains photographs, certificates and recipes; all things deemed to be relevant for those who contributed to its making. The rotting thing sits with other books, saved newspapers and magazines, at the bottom of an old cardboard box, to rot in the dampness of the roof-leaking attic. Despite the hours of loving care that went into the building of it, its newly evolved purpose and value has become that of source of food. It is sustenance for those ever-present, yet hardly ever seen creatures, that inhabit such places.
Meanwhile, in this abandoned place, these long forgotten and once treasured memories are being masticated by a small insect. This relatively harmless little, wingless insect just loves chewing away at paper. Being something of a scavenger, it really loves and often finds such titbits that are covered with mould; its favourite.
What is not known about the creature is what follows digestion and what happens during its subsequent sleep period. In this state, its dreams are peppered with thoughts, events, ideas and news items; all from its latest meal.
However, it’s true that on occasion the dreams had by a Book Louse can be quite lousy!
It goes without saying that humans have never discovered a way to know what goes on in their heads. It is doubtful whether anyone has ever tried and even more doubtful that anyone has even thought of it. That’s the clincher, you see, right there!
So obvious, when you come to think about it.