The death of reading

Every individual has to have a tiny bit of reading inculcated in them, be it a novel, a short story or just a small piece of information.

For in the words of English philospher Francis Bacon, “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.”

My interest lies in reading everyday happenings. Like I get curious to know the minute details of a recent plane crash, I keep reading till the newspapers and websites finish offering their last bit of information.

Then I keep thinking and find certain details missing and investigate on my own with all the literature I have gathered. Well, that’s my way of reading.

But the fact is that any sort of reading [is good], but it should be done for having read it and for having known what or why we started to read a particular thing. And this can be best done when we do a silent, slow read — analysing the pros and cons or the details of what we’d like to know, be it for pleasure or for information.

But reading is a must. Why, you ask? Because you end up learning new words, not because you wanted to learn them, but you picked them up as they came along the lines. Your style has versatility now, as you can see a huge variety of literature written in various forms.

However, sadly the future holds no value for books. I can see their slow demise and if you have a doubt just walk into school libraries and see what happens — the essence and the meaning of that room is being lost in the chaos.

Isn’t that a pity? Learning to read is taught at home, practiced at school and followed as a habit in life.

Cultures change lifestyles, but some things don’t change like taking a bath, brushing your teeth, having food for survival — it’s a must, isn’t it? And so is reading.

Just a small note to today’s parents who seldom realise their children’s interests and strangle them with a series of Harry Potters or Britannicas, just because their wards ‘have to’ read and they ‘have to’ show off their library at home.

Don’t do that.

Ask your child what they want to read. May be a 14-year-old might only want to read a Jughead or a Tinkle comic book. Get them that, don’t scorn them for reading a silly book.
Just remember to offer what you want them to read, in a way in which they would accept it, rather than you forcing it upon them.

For instance when they want an Archie’s comic book get them that with an add-on of a book you would like them to read. Initially, they may not read it, but one day those pages will be flipped.

It works, but you really need a lot of patience to instill that in them.

Remember, your kids are not software packages that just get started when they are installed. They are human beings just like you and me.

— The reader is a primary school teacher in Dubai