My First Book Experience

Books. Since birth, I have seen them as a part of my house. The drawing-room walls were adorned by books written by my grandfather (a national level award-winning Bengali writer) and the other shelves filled with other books. There were books under the table, in a closet behind the sofa and even in his bedroom. They were like oxygen in the air. Omnipresent, not necessarily always noticed, but an integral and important part of life.

I was in Nursery 2 when a note arrived for my parents from school. Next week there will be a story reading class. Each student to carry one storybook. And they were to read that in the class.

One would think it was easy for my parents. There were so many books available at home. Just grab one of the children’s books and send the daughter. Of course with my grandfather being a prolific children’s author that would be even easier.

But, the old man said a firm no. As per him none of the hundreds of books in the house met the age criteria. So off he went to college street the next morning after having the lunch menu for his breakfast, in anticipation that the book hunting might need an entire day.

Well, he was not wrong. I came back from school at 3 o’clock. He still hadn’t return from his mission. I do not remember when he returned but I do remember the book he brought. The Sly fox and the Red hen.

Apparently, he went from store to store, sat down, read the stories and ultimately after thorough scrutiny zeroed down on this book. A light book with bright colour and all 3 letter words. It was love at first sight.

I practiced with my grandfather, reading it in the evening and I was ready with my small weapon.

The much anticipated day came and during that coveted period, the teacher announced to bring out our respective books. And I was crestfallen. Everyone in the class had brought ‘big’ books. More words, fewer pictures. My book was so tiny in comparison. The initial excitement frizzled.

Then the reading session began. Roll no 1, Roll no 2, roll no 3… Each tried for few minutes and then gave up. Apparently all those books were not ‘age appropriate’. Suddenly the teacher noticed my book. It wasn’t my turn though. With the surname ‘sen’ and roll numbers arranged alphabetically my turn was much later. But, my book got an early chance.

The story reading class was a big success. Finally, the whole class read a single book. The Sly fox and the Red hen. This is the story of my first book which was perhaps the first book of many in my class.

I graduated from this book to fairy tales and then Bengali books pretty soon. But, that story for another day.

Note: This blog post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.