WHO READS BOOKS THESE DAYS?

 

“There is more treasure in books 

than in all the pirate’s loot in Treasure Island.”

Walt Disney

 

“Who reads books these days?”

“Khushika does,” I said without blinking my eyes.

“Who is she?”

“One who reads books voraciously.”

The above conversation took place yesterday between me and a 40-year-old man, an MBA, and works for a large organization. When I was excitedly sharing with this man about my plans to come out with ten books (in coming two years) from hundreds of blog articles posted by me over several years,  the man wasn’t impressed. “Who reads books these days?” was his question.

There are many, many, many people, out there, who simply love reading books...

I know there are...

On last Sunday, my wife and I had attended a grand wedding reception in ITC Grand Maratha hotel near Mumbai International airport. While there, we bumped into an old friend, who was there along with his wife, daughters, and son-in-law. But, the center of attention in this family group was my friend’s soon-to-be-nine granddaughter, Khushika.

                       (Khushika)

“She has read all the books you had sent to us,” said Khushika’s grandmother (my friend’s wife), “She simply loves reading books.”

I pulled little Khushika close to me and asked about the kind of books she has been reading. She told me, that since she was 4, she has read a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. “I have read four of Harry Potter series,” she mentioned.

I was pleased. The following day, we were to meet again, at the same venue, for Sangeet and cock-tails. I promised Khushika, that I would be gifting her some of our latest books.

I kept my promise. The following day, I nicely wrapped up four of our latest books for Khushika. “To my little Harry Potter,” I had written on a beautifully-designed card. On seeing the gift of books, the little face lit up like a bright star... “Thank you so much, Sir... I love books,” she jumped.

The next day, in the morning, I received a call from my friend (Khushika’s grandfather). He was feeling sad to tell me, that the gift bag was lost in the crowd. “We are finding it difficult to console her; she is still crying,” my friend said.

“Don’t worry, I will send right away a fresh lot through WeFast (now Borzo), and I did.

The little girl stopped crying... The face lit up all over again, like the brightest star in the sky!

“Who reads books these days?”

The grown-up, educated and well-placed, man had asked me.

Would I get discouraged to go ahead with my plans to bring out ten books from my blog articles?

Or, would I get encouraged seeing the lit face of this little Harry Potter, Khushika?

All his life, Walt Disney believed in what he did – he believed in little children and their dreams... He believed in magic... and in lighting up those little faces. Therefore, what he said was right: 

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot in Treasure Island.”

“Who is she?” the grown-up man had asked me...

“Sir, she is Khushika, soon to be nine.”

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic’s: 1. Pixabay/congerdesign  2. Reeta Kohli

Video: KBC India