A piece of literary history has finally found its way home. An Australian library was recently surprised by the return of a book that had been missing for 150 years—an item so overdue that it had technically accumulated a fine of approximately $28,000 (roughly 19 lakh rupees).

The book, which had been lost to time, was discovered bricked inside a fireplace during recent renovations. Despite the substantial penalty that would have been incurred by such a late return, the library opted to waive the massive fine, opting instead to celebrate the return of the artifact.

"It is a remarkable piece of our history," said a library spokesperson. While the exact title of the book was not disclosed, its condition suggests it spent most of the last century tucked away within the structure of a home, protected from the elements but completely inaccessible to the public.

Libraries across the globe have reacted with amusement to the story, highlighting the rare intersection of property renovation and historical recovery. For the lucky institution in Australia, the return represents a unique addition to their archives—a tangible reminder that some overdue items are never truly lost, just waiting for the right moment to surface.

Source: CNN