The article explores the transition from childhood to adulthood through the lens of reading and literature. Initially, the author finds joy in children's books filled with whimsical stories of kindness and clear moral lessons. However, as the author matures, they grow disillusioned with these simplistic narratives, realizing that life's complexities cannot be captured by childlike tales. The changing perspective is emphasized through the metaphor of growing taller and reaching the once-inaccessible shelves that now offer darker, more nuanced books, symbolizing the author’s shifting understanding of stories and life.
One can tolerate only so many 'moral of the story's forced down their throat before well-meaning messages become grating—suffocating, even.
As I grew taller, the higher shelves in the library became level with my eyes, lined with books drained of all colours but the red of blood.
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