Books and bonding

Spotting a Crossword store at a petrol station on his way to school, Ash said: "Amma, let's go in there and get Usha aunty's CD."

"Some other time. Now we have to get to school."

V, who has his eyes on the road, asks what it is.

"A new book store at the petrol pump," I tell him.

"I think your son will soon be a good reading chum for you. And Mira will take after me," V tells me prophetically.

I am already thinking of taking him to British Council Library when he is old enough to read on his own. An idea given by a friend.

Once upon a time, dad used to take me and my brother to the state library in Dares-salaam, Tanzania. But most of the time he would get books on his own and I read whatever that came. The ones on Greek and Roman mythologies were repeats and often overlapped, but it helped to remember the stories better. Even before that, he would get me books from his college library. Most of my reading has been his consideration, his thought, his gift. I hope I can do Ash a similar service.