The Only Way to Learn Is to Live

Summary

• Nora found herself back in her own bed, preparing to live a life in which her beloved cat, Voltaire, was alive.
• She searched her flat and found Voltaire dead under her bed, to her shock and dismay.
• Back in the Midnight Library, Nora confronted Mrs Elm about her disappointment and confusion, since she asked for a life where Voltaire was kept indoors, assuming that would mean he was alive.
• Mrs Elm clarified that Nora indicated for a different life, not specifically one where Voltaire was alive. Even if Nora asked for such a life, she couldn't have it because it didn't exist - Voltaire was born with a severe heart condition that did not allow him to live long.
• Nora realized that she had mistakenly thought Voltaire's death was caused by a car hitting him. Now she understood that he had died naturally, and went outside knowing he was about to pass away.
• Mrs Elm encouraged Nora to look at her Book of Regrets again, where she saw that her regret of not taking care of Voltaire properly had disappeared.
• Nora expressed her frustration about being put in another life full of sadness, considering a single life of misery being more than enough.
• Mrs Elm explained that sometimes the only way to understand something is by experiencing it oneself, and suggested Nora look for a life where it was currently daytime if she was worried about immediately falling asleep.
• After some thought, Nora decided she wanted to attempt living a life where she had joined her friend Izzy in moving to Australia.
• Nora initially hesitated, worried about potentially entering a life where she had already died. However, Mrs Elm explained that dead lives didn't exist in the Midnight Library, only 'lives' did.
• Nora opened the book Mrs Elm handed to her and was transported into the alternate life in Australia.