Quick tale: Slim Pickings

I was heading out and would have left the library but for the strange request from a thin reed like boy. I overheard him asking the librarian to suggest a book and the librarian reeled out a few titles that he ought to check. The boy seemed unconvinced and went on to leaf through random titles. I felt compelled to help the boy find an appropriate book.

I approached him and offered to help. 'What kind of books have you read? What do you enjoy? I'll suggest something similar'

'I read David Copperfield and I want something like that. How about Tale of two cities? Do you think it is deep. I want to read a deep book because one is supposed to read deep books. David Copperfield was deep. I learnt a lot from it. I want something like that,' he breathlessly spoke.

'Tale of two cities is a fantastic book. And I am sure you will love it. You should read Oliver Twist too'

'What is Shakespeare?'

'Shakespeare was a British dramatist...'

'No no, I know that. I meant how is he? Is he good?'

'Yes, he is considered by many as one of the greatest writers'

'What does he write?'

'Well! He has written a wide variety of books, ranging from comedies to tragedies. Have you heard of The Twelfth Night?'

My sales pitch on Shakespeare had clearly no effect and my customer was walking away. So a change of strategy was called for.

'How about Indian authors? Have you read R.K. Narayan? He is wonderful'

'Yeah!' he replied unenthusiastically, 'I have read him. English teacher, Financial Expert. It made me sleep. I want something more... I don't know'

'You should read Waiting for the Mahatma. It is one of my favourites'

The boy obviously didn't think much of my taste. 'Hmmm. But the book is so old.' It was an old copy, dusty hardcover and brown paper. It was evident that the boy was looking for a book that not only was a good read but would appear to be one.

The book evangelist that I was, I was undeterred. 'I will find him a book that he approves,' I told myself.

'Why don't you read Jefferey Archer? It should be here somewhere. Ah! Here it is. You could read 'Shall we tell the president?' or a 'Not a penny more, not a penny less'. They are intelligent and thrilling. You will like them'

'But they are so big. I may never complete them'

Sigh! The book should look new, sound intelligent and be thin. And yes, not by an Indian.

'Why don't you start with a collection of Short stories then? Take this one.' I handed him a copy of 'To cut a long story short'. It wasn't too fat, it wasn't too thin. It was just right. And new. And there were so many colourful volumes of Archer in the rack. Archer was good. One can always feel proud about reading an Archer.

'Thanks. This looks like something I can read'. He beamed a thanks and I left.

I sit at home wondering if he borrowed the book and if he liked it.