It was another blessed morning as usual, a routine he'd grown accustomed to and looked forward each waking day. No matter how many times he traversed the already memorized steps to the "Library" and eventually opened its old and creaky door, the smell of old and new books welcomed him, a sense of excitement for a new day engulfed his spirit as always.
"Ahhh...what's in store for us this time my dear friends? Let's see how many visitors we'll have today!"
It became his habit to talk cheerfully to the books, from the oldest, newest addition, best sellers, paperbacks to the smallest booklet. He dusted each one with love and care,ready for the next reader who would enjoy the book of his choice. How he loved watching anyone reading and appreciating his most cherished collection, his life, his being! True enough a flow of book lovers came in, all wanted new editions and colorful exciting books to explore. They stayed long hours reading a book of their choice the new best sellers but never the old tattered ones.
One foggy morning while he was arranging the new arrivals in a newly installed shelf at the center of the library, he heard a soft sob. Slowly he walked to the direction of the muffled sob...To his surprise it came from a tattered almost forgotten book at the farthest left corner of the room.
"What's the matter dear one?" He lovingly asked...softly the tattered book answered, unsure of itself.
"Nothing sir, why?"
"I heard you sobbing, I'm sure I did!"
"Oh sir, I'm sorry but I think you're mistaken."
"Hmmmm...okay, but..never mind the matter then. Got a lot more chores to do my dear friend. Have a good day!"
"You too sir..."
The day passed swiftly, people came and went, some stayed and read and some borrowed their chosen books. Only the new ones were read and borrowed to take home. Though he went about his chores capably for the day, the sob he heard never left his mind. Almost an echo reminding him someone was hurting. He knew the tattered book was really sobbing. He was real sure of it.
"My old friend is keeping its loneliness from me...I wonder." he murmured." It was the saddest sob I heard,hmmm..I have to try to talk it out of it's misery. But why? It was a most read book! So why should it feel miserable?
After everything was kept, impeccably organized and all was ready for the next morning, he decided he'll talk to the sobbing tattered book before calling it a day. Carefully he took it from the shelf, affectionately placed it on the table in his office, and seated himself comfortably...looking forward for a long enlightening talk with his old friend. Well...hopefully.
"So...tell me again my dear friend if I mistakenly heard your sobs this morning? Have you forgotten we've been together for decades now?Do you honestly think I don't know you all these years?" He gently probed.
"Oh come on sir! I may be giggling, did it not ever cross your mind?" The book answered evasively, a tiny pride seeped in.
"Giggles are far more different from sobs! Out with it my dear friend...why?" he pleaded farther.
"You are indeed a true and caring friend dear sir, you're right I can't hide anything from you, no matter how much I tried. Don't worry sir,no big deal, maybe I am not so sure if I was of any use at all. You see no one wants to read me anymore. I am old,torn and boring! New exciting, colorful books are the in thing now! Haven't you noticed?" the book mumbled almost incoherently but clear enough for the "Librarian" to understand its predicament.
"Hmmm...go on.." He answered rather amusingly but tried to hide it from his friend afraid it would disclose no farther.
"Did I ever help or inspire anyone sir? Was I ever a guide for someone's knowledge?" the book chanted one grief after another deep into the night. The "Librarian" listened patiently, carefully noting mentally all the fears and worries behind the tattered book's rosary of complaints.
"Is that all my friend? Was all that the reason for your heavy heart?" he asked after listening to the longest chat they ever had in years. The tattered book looked at him amazed by his calmness after chanting its complaints and loads of frustrations all night. Silently it nodded...
"Yes sir, I'm afraid that's all."
"Would you like to be reminded of who you were then? How could you not remember? Let not your misery nor pains destroy you my dear friend." He asked in the kindest tone the book had ever heard." Come with me and we'll travel back in time by watching a short film. I kept this hidden for quite sometime especially for you my dear friend." Together they went to the right corner of the Library where an old projector stood. While the Librarian was busy trying to start the machine, the tattered book waited impatiently for what seemed like forever. Finally the old somewhat blurred film rolled...
A jubilant commotion filled an old house in the middle of the night. Already a new born babe was crying long before the supposed attending midwife arrived.
"She can't wait to see us my dear,look how healthy she is! Such deafening wails for a tiny baby!" The excited grandfather tried to hush the mother and child, praying the midwife would finally come.
Everyone in the family welcomed the baby girl, a favorite in fact for she's the first granddaughter. Though a bit pampered by everyone,she grew up loving and caring.
She couldn't sit still if her siblings were not yet around the table in their humble dining room. She would wait till everyone had their meals and bellies filled up. Her ardent wish was always to see her family happy. Her mom especially,her most beloved.Her arms were always open to anyone who needed her comfort,both her time and affection. Her shoulders were always ready to cry on and her ears were ready to listen ...feeling their deepest pains anytime anyone asked.
More joyful moments were flashed before the tattered book's eyes, numerous events of the girl's life, her simple achievements and the like. In her teens she found a way of expressing herself well artistically,a talent or two she gratefully shared. Then came the most blissful event in her life,the birth of her children. Willingly she devoted her whole life attending to her most precious bundles of joy and her dearest husband's needs. Finally being a housewife was her chosen career she enjoyed the most. The screen was filled with joyful laughter...more blissful events...
Abruptly the screen went blank but still playing continuously. The tattered book watched and waited expectantly hoping the screen would clear once more but to no avail. Suddenly the book felt tears were flowing down its old cheeks. It troubled the book immensely, confused and bewildered wondering what it's got to do with itself. Upon watching the short film the book felt joy but also sadness,a mixture of both. The film in between lively scenes flashed a blank screen..Why? Maybe that film was too old like itself!The tattered book gathered its thoughts and bravely asked the Librarian in a husky shaky voice.
"Sir, why did the film have blank and blurred moments in between? All I saw were happy times. Didn't that girl have any sad and unlikely events in her whole lifetime? Did she have a perfect life? How lucky and blessed she was! I envy her!
"Ahhhhh! I thought you'd never ask! The Librarian fondly answered, wisdom was written all over his face.
"You see my dear friend the director/author of that film edited the girl's life. The director of that film was one of a kind.He only showed all the happy times for everyone to enjoy the film void of all negativity and let everyone know his merciful, magnificent ways. Though he was aware of the numerous dark moments in the girl's life he chose not to show them. The dark unlikely moments were only for the director's all forgiving, never vindictive eyes. In fact he took care of it all himself, in a priceless heavenly way. He showed a spotless girl on screen. For the sole reason that she was created by an all knowing "Author" of whom she had believed and embraced all her life.Though the life she led was not perfect, all she needed was a small, sincere chat with her Author and voila!
The film you just saw, edited to perfection!
Without much ado, the Librarian slowly headed for the door a soft light from the street post peeped in...illuminated his head like a crown. Getting brighter and brighter as it crept through the tattered book's renewed heart.
Silently the Librarian closed the door behind him, leaving the enlightened book...tattered no more.
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