SEE THE BOOK VALUE TO GENERATE THE ASSURED PROFIT

I developed a taste for words a little late. That happened only after faring poorly in the language and working on myself that I became an avid reader. 

We had preferences, so we amassed volumes in our homes. Some were those we had borrowed, the ones we forgot to return, others were second-hand or the new edition we either purchased or were gifted, and a few were even our professional textbooks. The pages had begun to crack, and a distinct moldy smell emanated. The once treasured books now occupied only space, and their regular maintenance was a menace.

After my father passed away, my mother offloaded our home from the clutter, and first in line of fire were the books. Those prized possessions came down from the first-floor balcony onto the floor. An unassuming raddiwallah collected our priceless belongings of years in his sack for a paltry amount.

My friend shared, advertising on Facebook, the free sale of her Encyclopedia Britannica after she became an empty nester. The story was that there was just one response. A girl came forward to collect. A month later, even she wanted to return it. That is the lost glory.

When my house was under renovation, I  faced the dilemma of letting go of my son’s possessions, their books. Armed with the experiences of others, I thought I would fare better,
so I asked people to see my shelves and take away whatever they needed. Many had found a new home. I am happy for them. Of what remained were the fictions, some scientific ones, and the ones I intentionally did not want to part with.

I wanted to find a suitable home for all, someplace where they would be valued just as much as we did, in a library. Alas! As fait accompli would have it, only the books in Hindi went to a small school in a village. Most remained unattended and uncared for despite my best efforts. They made it to the sack of raddiwallah as their last refuge.

Though I performed the last rites myself, I wanted them to be happy wherever they were. I knew very few people read books and even fewer read fiction. Those who read have a Kindle with them. A hardbound is different from an electronic one.

They are no longer on shelves in my house on the shelf of my mind. Those books will always be there. This is their value, their real Book Value.