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Book Uncle’s Place

IN JUST A FEW more days, an even bigger crowd shows up on the corner of St. Mary’s Road and 1st Cross Street to celebrate the now officially permitted Book Uncle’s Free Lending Library.

There are so many people that the city has to close the road to cars and buses and autorickshaws, bikes and motorbikes and scooters and anything else with wheels.

People and animals are allowed, which is good because Anil has brought his dog, Bubbles. He has also brought the students and the teacher from the karate studio where he takes lessons. They are all wearing their white uniforms with brightly colored belts. Anil’s is blue.

All this time I did not know that about him. He is a blue belt.

The istri lady’s whole family is here again, along with their three donkeys, who have to be scolded for trying to eat the flowers tucked into Mrs. Rao’s hair. A troupe of acrobats has arrived from somewhere. I have never seen them before, but their leader seems to know Book Uncle.

Mayor Karate Samuel cuts a ribbon. Musicians play. Dancers dance. Jugglers juggle. Book Uncle’s patrons wander around looking pleased. Acrobats leap over poles. Karate champions block, punch and kick. Mrs. Rao dabs at her eyes with the end of her sari.

She is not sad. She is very, very pleased that we have learned to be such fine citizens. Our school bus driver belts out his A-One favorite songs from Karate Samuel’s movies. He sings them at the top of his voice. We all sing along and clap our hands and stamp our feet in time.

And here is Book Uncle. He cannot stop smiling. He sits in a chair next to his books. They are laid out in perfect stacks. The fruit man and his wife have helped Book Uncle set up this fine new reopened lending library.

Look at the pavement — newly patched! Nice and even. No broken bricks.

And just look at the new and improved sign, relettered and sharpened up.

Books. Free.

Give one.

Take one.

Read-Read-Read.