The Cooper Case

Writer: Ashita Bhardwaj

Audiobook

It was a sunny day. As Mr. Cooper took out his convertible, he called out to his daughter, “Lily, hurry up! You are running late for school.”

Lily was in the habit of waking up late which often delayed her father. As she ran to the car, she quickly grabbed her lunch bag. Then her father drove her to the school.

The corridors were almost empty as she raced to her class. Finally, she sank in her seat and smiled at her best friend Bess White. As the first period was Physics, her favourite subject, she listened attentively. At the end of the day, she went to the library to get a book.

As she walked back home, it began to rain. This reminded her of her beautiful mother who was no more. She would always come to pick Lily up whenever it rained.

After reaching home, she started doing her homework.

Soon, her father returned and they ate dinner together. Afterwards, they both fell asleep, reading their books in bed.

As she woke up the next morning, a Saturday, she suddenly realized that it was her birthday. Her father was already awake and had made her a special breakfast. After eating, she settled down near a window with her book. Suddenly, a scrap of paper fell out of the book. It was old and yellow, with torn edges. It read,

“EREHT SI A NEDDIH ERUSEART”

What could it mean? She excitedly called up Bess. They both loved mysteries and were equally good at decoding codes. As soon as Bess saw the paper, she exclaimed, “Oh, It’s the mirror image!” Lily understood immediately. “You’re right! The letters are written in the reverse order.”

Now the paper read,

“THERE IS A HIDDEN TREASURE”

Bess scratched her head. “But where?” Just then, Lily snapped her fingers and spoke, “Hey, when you take all the first letters from the words, they form “TIAHT”! That’s the Chinese plant Dad and I planted last summer I the backyard. Let’s go look there.”

They decided to dig under the Tiaht tree. After a while, they unearthed a small box But it was ticking! Could it be a bomb?

Lily opened the lid gingerly and gasped. It was a brand-new, gleaming, girl’s watch! A handwritten note read, “For Lily. Love, Daddy.”

Lily started laughing. Her father had been hinting about it. He had finally gifted her a watch so that she would remember to be on time. Just then, all her friends came out from behind the bushes. It was a surprise birthday party! Her father also emerged from the house, smiling. Lily ran and hugged him tightly.