Meet Lumen

You can usually spot Lumen flitting from one place to another, carrying a tiny lantern that swings gently beneath him.

Lumen is a magnificent dragonfly, his wings shimmering in shades of turquoise, emerald, and violet.

He prefers to think of himself as a lightning bug.

This is, of course, ridiculous.

Christos has explained the difference.

Alden has offered diagrams.

Lumen remains unconvinced.

He carries a lantern.

It glows.

As far as he is concerned, the matter is settled.

Unlike the other residents of The Lantern Library, Lumen does not feel the need to contribute to every conversation.

He listens.

He may rest upon the back of a chair, hover near the fire, or settle on the edge of an open book while the others explore a question from every possible direction.

Ambrose considers.

Alden connects.

Christos declares.

Christine wonders.

Lumen waits.

He listens for what has been overlooked.

When he finds it, his lantern brightens.

Then he speaks.

Briefly.

Lumen has never required a speech when a few words will do. He may listen to a long conversation about peace and quietly say, “Perhaps peace was never lost.”

Then he flies away.

The others are left to decide what to do with that.

He can often be found in the garden, skimming above the fountain, moving between the roses and lavender, or resting upon the gardener’s hat as though supervising the work.

The butterflies accept him.

The bees tolerate him.

Miss P occasionally complains that he appears without making a proper entrance.

Lumen insists that appearing is the entrance.

Zeke and Bella were the first to see him. They noticed the small light moving through the garden before anyone else did.

Dogs, Lumen believes, rarely need proof before welcoming wonder.

Despite his size, Lumen is not fragile. His light may be small, but he understands that light does not have to fill an entire room to matter.

It only needs to reveal the next page.

The next doorway.

The next step.

Should you enter The Lantern Library and notice a tiny glow moving among the shelves, pause.

Lumen may pass without speaking.

But if his lantern suddenly brightens, pay attention.

Something important may have been overlooked.