True Joy of Reading

By Akanksha Sapkal

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on their conversation, she turned to him and  asked, "Have you ever felt that irresistible temptation to skip right to the end of a book, just to discover if  it ends happily or not? But then, in doing so, you accidentally spoil the entire story for yourself,  extinguishing your enthusiasm to read it?" 

His eyes widened in mock horror, and he turned to face her with theatrical astonishment. "Oh dear,  anyone who commits such a literary sin deserves to be locked away! Who in their right mind jumps  straight to the ending of a story?" 

With a playful shrug, she countered, "You're being quite dramatic, you know. It's not as grave as you  make it out to be." Her gaze returned to the mesmerizing view before them. 

"Reading a book is like living out the chapters of your life," he mused, his tone becoming more serious.  "Each part contributes to your entire life story. Just like in real life, you can't fast-forward to the end to  see how it all turns out, can you?".  

"Well, in reality, no," she admitted thoughtfully. "But maybe that's why people are drawn to sneak a peek  at the ending – it's a way to glimpse a future they can't access in real life. It's like checking if your desires  are fulfilled without the uncertainty of real-life choices. With books, I know what I'm getting into when I  read the ending, and then I decide if I want to take the journey." 

He nodded with a fervor that revealed his deep love for reading. "Precisely! When you rush to the end,  you miss out on those intimate moments that make you smile, gasp, and even shed a tear. It's the small  details, the dialogues, that forge a profound connection with the story. Reading from the beginning  allows you to experience every moment with the characters, as if you're a silent observer in the world  the author has crafted. The excitement, heartache, elation, and contentment – all these emotions are  yours as the story unfolds. It's a journey, and jumping to the ending robs you of that immersive  experience." 

"Hmm, I guess you have a point," she conceded with a smile, a newfound appreciation for literature and  life lighting up her eyes. "In real life, too, we might miss out on precious moments when we're too  focused on how it all ends." 

He couldn't resist a final touch of theatricality. "And with that, Your Honor," he said, playfully bowing his  hand, which elicited genuine laughter from her. Their connection deepened as they shared this moment  of enlightenment and shared amusement, under the evolving canvas of the setting sun.

By Akanksha Sapkal