Saturday, December 1, 2007
Singapore is blessed with one of the most up to date libraries in South-East Asia.The former Raffles Library was christened "National Library" when our Island State became a free and independent country.One day I visited the National Library and unceremoniously deposited the book "Cyrano" on the desk of the librarian.Had the book made a "first time" lending things would have been much different.Unfortunately,this contemptible form of wood-pulp and print,chose to land itself on the librarian's little finger and slide down the desk,crashing on the bespectacled man's toe.The instant the heavy book landed,the young dignified looking librarian jumped up with the look of agony written over his long face,a look which caused me to hurry away from the scene of the incident,and from the hostile and revengeful hisses that were cast in my direction.My appetite for a good book was thus temporarily shaken.All the other thousands of books seemed to bear that forbidding look which I had failed to perceive ever since I began to learn to read.Beside me was a European lady who appeared to be in a great hurry.In order to attract my attention,she had con-descended to sneeze,cough and even mutter a few impatient gutturals.It was then that it came to my mind I was blocking the lady's path.Hastily,I made way for her and to cover my retreat,I had to pick up a book.Indeed all was quiet in the hall --- too quiet in fact.I still do not know what instigated me,but behaving like a child afraid of the dark and quiet places,I began to whistle "For he's a jolly good fellow" --- very softly,mind you.Instantly the whole library seemed to undergo a miracle of miracles.Heads suddenly popped out like so many Jack-in-the box.Some began to take off their glasses and clean them vigorously.Others muttered amongst themselves like excited hairy specimens found in the Botanic Gardens."Here is a girl who dares to whistle in the sacred boundary of the library."Shrugging my shoulders,I sought consolation in another book,this time a book of pictures of World War II.I browsed over its content,a feeling of satisfaction overcame me.
AISHA : Can I fly Over The Rainbow Like The Bluebirds?
10:15 PM
