The Music Box

The Keys

   There it was, sitting on a shelf. Melody had always wondered why her mother had kept it. Maybe it were a simple box, of her childhood. She sometimes felt like grabbing it and seeing what was inside. Was it treasure? Some jewelry box? Was it empty? Unlike other children, Melody felt repulsive towards that idea. They had enough jewelry, in her perspective.

   One day, her mother was out, doing errands. Melody decided enough was enough. That day was the day she'd find out what the box was. She grabbed it, and looked at it.

   It was pretty, Melody decided, she'd give it that. It had been painted white once, but then the paint had faded enough that you could see the color of wood. It was old. Melody decided if the box was ever given to her, she'd paint it white again. Then again, maybe not. She hated the smell of paint.

  The box was glued shut. Not literally, of course. It had a small lock on it. Melody hunted for about an hour for the key and decided it wasn't there. It must be with her mother. 

  Melody decided to put it back, as if it were never touched. When her mother came back, she pretended to re-read one of her storybooks. In the corner of her eye, she noticed a ring of keys chained to her mother's handbag. Very well then, she'd have to find a way to take it away from there. She was bursting with curiosity. Melody was clever, too, so it only took her two days to make a plan. 

  "Hello, Mum."

  "Yes, Melody? What do you want?" Her mother was ironing some clothes.

  "My room's cupboard is locked again. I need some ink from there." Melody knew this was a clever move to play. Every key of the house was on that little handbag.

  "Very well then. I'd like to speak to you later, too." Her mother got up, took the little ring of keys, without noticing one had fallen down. It was the key to Melody's cupboard. Melody followed her, pocketing the key quickly.

  "Now where is that key? Kitchen, guest room, music box, a cupboard..." Her mother had a funny little habit of speaking aloud every key's lock's location. Melody realized it before her mother said it. Music box? They didn't owe a music box. Unless...