Orla and the Secrets of Numbers

By Ruby Lee

Orla, a shy but brilliant girl, discovers a hidden journal that leads her into the magical realm of Numbers. Each chapter presents a new mathematical challenge, from addition and subtraction to algebra and geometry, as Orla unlocks secrets and befriends quirky characters like Zephyros the wind spirit and Sumo the giant. With each puzzle solved, Orla learns that math isn’t just a subject—it’s a magical key to solving everyday problems. This enchanting adventure introduces young readers to basic math concepts in a fun and relatable way, showing that numbers are more than just digits—they’re the building blocks of the world!

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Good Child Bookstore
• Release date: Jul 28, 2025

Book preview

Orla and the Secrets of Numbers

Ruby Lee

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Orla and the Secrets of Numbers

Educational Series

Ruby Lee

Published by The Good Child Bookstore, 2025

Copyright

Published by The Good Child Bookstore

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All rights reserved © 2025, Good Child Bookstore.

Preface

Welcome to a world where numbers aren’t just symbols—they are living, breathing creatures, each with its own personality and secrets. This story follows Orla, a quiet and brilliant girl, who stumbles upon a journal that opens a doorway to a land of magical math. Throughout her journey, Orla meets fascinating creatures like Zephyros, the wind spirit who loves equations, and Sumo, the giant who teaches the power of addition. As Orla uncovers the secrets of numbers, she discovers that math isn’t just a school subject, but a vital tool for understanding the world around us. Each puzzle Orla solves unlocks a new mystery, making math fun, magical, and full of surprises. Through this story, young readers will not only learn basic math concepts but also see the magic behind the numbers that shape our lives.

Contents

Chapter 1: The Discovery of the Journal

Chapter 2: The Gateway to Numbers

Chapter 3: Sumo, the Giant of Addition

Chapter 4: The Subtraction Riddle

Chapter 5: The Multiplication Maze

Chapter 6: The Secrets of Division

Chapter 7: The Decimal Dragon

Chapter 8: The Algebraic Adventure

Chapter 9: The Time-Teller’s Tower

Chapter 10: The Fraction Forest

Chapter 11: The Geometry Garden

Chapter 12: The Measurement Mountains

Chapter 13: The Probability Pond

Chapter 14: The Puzzle of Symmetry

Chapter 15: The Secrets of Fractions

Chapter 16: The Infinity Bridge

Chapter 17: The Function Forest

Chapter 18: The Spiral of Sequences

Chapter 19: The Maze of Multiples

Chapter 20: The Equation Exchange

Chapter 21: The Spiral of Symmetry

Chapter 22: The World of Variables

Chapter 23: The Probability Pond

Chapter 24: The Geometry Garden

Chapter 25: The Final Equation

END

Chapter 1: The Discovery of the Journal

Orla had always been the quiet one. While other children her age were busy running around the playground, laughing, and shouting, Orla preferred to sit in a quiet corner, lost in her own thoughts. Her mind often wandered to puzzles, numbers, and riddles—things that others didn’t seem to understand or care about.

She lived in a cozy little house on the edge of town with her grandmother, a wise and mysterious woman who always seemed to have a knowing smile on her face. Orla didn’t know much about her grandmother’s past, other than that she had a collection of odd trinkets, books, and artifacts from places Orla had never heard of.

One rainy afternoon, Orla found herself up in the attic, the air thick with the smell of old wood and dust. She loved the attic. It was a place where time seemed to stand still. The shelves were lined with forgotten treasures—old photo albums, vintage toys, and curious objects that had been tucked away for years.

Today, however, Orla was looking for something specific. She had overheard her grandmother mention a special journal the night before, a journal that held secrets and mysteries that only the most curious could uncover. Orla’s curiosity was piqued. She couldn’t resist the urge to find it.

She crouched down and carefully sifted through a stack of dusty boxes in the far corner. Her fingers brushed against a smooth, leather-bound book, its cover worn from age. It was thick and heavy, and the gold lettering on the spine gleamed even in the dim light. The journal’s title read: The Secrets of Numbers.

Orla’s heart skipped a beat. She had never seen this book before, but something about it felt different—important. She carefully opened the cover, her fingers trembling with excitement. The pages inside were filled with strange, swirling symbols and equations she couldn’t quite understand. It wasn’t like any math book she had ever seen. Some of the numbers seemed to dance across the pages, and the words appeared to shimmer in the light.

The first page had a simple, handwritten note:

To the one who dares to uncover the secrets of the numbers, solve the first puzzle and step into the realm where math comes to life.

Orla blinked, rereading the words. A puzzle? What kind of puzzle could it be? She quickly scanned the next page, where a series of numbers and shapes were arranged in a peculiar pattern. It looked like a riddle, but the symbols were unfamiliar. They seemed to pulse and glow, almost as if they were inviting her to solve them.

Without thinking, Orla’s fingers traced the shapes on the page. As soon as she did, the room around her seemed to shift. The walls of the attic began to dissolve, replaced by a swirling vortex of colors and shapes. Orla gasped and stumbled back, but before she could even process what was happening, the ground beneath her feet vanished entirely.

She was falling.

But not falling like she would in a dream. No, this was different. Orla was soaring through the air, surrounded by a dizzying array of numbers, shapes, and equations. She blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of it all. The numbers—big, small, round, square—were floating around her like stars in a galaxy. The air smelled fresh and electric, like something new and exciting was about to happen.

Just when Orla thought she might lose her balance in the swirling chaos, she heard a voice. It was soft, like the whisper of wind through the trees.

Welcome to the realm of Numbers.

Orla spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice. In front of her, a figure appeared—a small, translucent being made entirely of wind and numbers. The figure hovered in the air, its form shifting constantly, like a cloud that couldn’t quite hold its shape.

You must be Orla, the figure said with a smile. I’m Zephyros, the Wind Spirit of Calculations.

Zephyros? Orla repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. But—what’s happening? Where am I?

You’ve crossed into the magical realm where numbers are more than just symbols on a page. Here, numbers are alive, and they have their own stories to tell, Zephyros explained, swirling around Orla with a gust of wind. And now, you must solve the puzzles to unlock their secrets.

Orla stared at him in awe, unable to fully grasp what was happening. Her mind was racing, but it didn’t seem to matter. Something deep inside her told her this was where she was meant to be.

Why me? Orla asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Why was I chosen?

Zephyros paused in mid-air, his form flickering like a candle’s flame. You have the gift, Orla. You see the world differently. You understand the power of numbers, even if you don’t always know it. The puzzles are meant for someone with a curious mind, someone who can think outside the box. He smiled at her warmly. I believe you’re ready to begin.

Orla’s heart fluttered in her chest. She didn’t know exactly what was happening, but the thought of solving puzzles in a world where math was alive was too exciting to pass up. She had always loved puzzles. Numbers made sense to her, in a way that words didn’t always do. She had spent countless hours solving riddles and equations, lost in the world of numbers, and now, it seemed like that world had found her.

What do I have to do? she asked, eager to get started.

Zephyros floated closer, his form becoming clearer. First, you must solve the puzzle that brought you here. It’s simple, really—just a few numbers, a little bit of logic, and the key to unlocking the first secret.

He gestured to the space around them, where a large, glowing equation appeared in the air. It was like nothing Orla had ever seen before—numbers, shapes, and symbols all mixed together in a swirling, vibrant display.

Orla’s eyes narrowed as she studied the equation. She could feel her mind clicking into place, ready to solve it. The equation wasn’t just random—it had a rhythm to it, a pattern that made sense. It was like a song, waiting to be heard.

With a deep breath, Orla focused all her attention on the equation. She carefully traced the symbols with her finger, following the pattern and solving each part step by step. It wasn’t easy, but it was exhilarating. The more she worked through the puzzle, the clearer it became, until—finally—the last piece clicked into place.

The equation shimmered and dissolved into thin air, leaving behind a glowing doorway. Beyond the doorway was a vast, glowing landscape, filled with floating numbers and colorful, geometric shapes.

You did it! Zephyros cheered, his voice filled with delight. You’ve unlocked the first secret!

Orla stared at the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest. She had done it—she had solved the puzzle and entered the realm of Numbers. But she didn’t feel scared. In fact, she felt more alive than she had ever felt before. This was her chance to learn, to explore, and to uncover the mysteries of math like never before.

You’re ready for the next challenge, Zephyros said, his voice soft and encouraging. But remember, this world is full of surprises. Each puzzle will bring you closer to the secrets of Numbers—and the magic that lies within them.

Chapter 2: The Gateway to Numbers

Orla’s heart raced as she stepped through the glowing doorway. The world around her