Essay on A
House without Books is Like a Room without Windows
 |
Horace Mann |
According
to William Shakespeare, books are the nutrition of the whole world, life
without books, as if there is no sunlight; wisdom without books, just like a
bird without wings. There is very deep connecting of books with humans. Ever
since the invention of paper, humans have penned down their thoughts,
scriptures, stories and various instances on it. Stacks of papers were bind
together and kept for references by the great gurus in earlier times. With
time, several authors started writing fiction and reality based stories,
novels, religious context based on real stories and educational and scientific
conceptual books. Slowly and steadily, books became an integral part of people
of all age groups. Young children and students read education text books and
story books, adults read novels and magazines and elderly tend to read more of
religious writings. People gather books and keep them in their homes to go back
to them whenever they want.
A
home without books can be considered synonymous to a room without windows.
Similar to how the latter can be suffocating, dull and difficult to live in a
house with books brings in liveliness and character. As a window brings in a
breath of fresh air and light into the room, the books bring in the knowledge
to enlighten the housemates and also give them an opinion and perspective
towards life. A home is defined by the people who live in it and not the
materialistic items that decorate it. One may buy expensive rugs, furniture,
paintings, ornaments and other décor stuff to beautify their home. All this is
a reflection of how much money the owner has got. But if there are books in the
house, it signifies the mind and character of the owner. As author Anna
Quindlen puts, "I would be most content, if my children grew up to be the
kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough
bookshelves", describes how books should constitute a defined place in
one's house.
In
modern day and age, however, people tend to drive towards luxuries of life like
car, house, cell phones etc, which cost a bomb on their pockets. But their
mindset won't let them buy a book which will cost only a few pennies. This is
because they are engrossed in the artificial passion for collecting expensive
and rare things which define the luxuries of life. However, they don't
understand how a good collection of books will bring in character and meaning
to their life which will define their taste attitude, personality and psychology.
The habit of reading thus should be inculcated in early years of growth. Apart
from the context books which are mandatory for their school curriculum, young
kids should be introduced to story books, novels, magazines and comics which
are appropriate for their age. This habit will churn out their overall
personality which will be reflected in all areas of their life, be it their
work ethics, attitude towards life, moral values and social mindset. No matter
how big or small a house is, but if it has a little space for books there, the
house will bloom with fresh ideas and thoughts.
Books
can be considered as the great lighthouses which are erected in the great sea of
time. Reading a book takes you to another world. It connects you to the author,
the time and era the story talks about and moves you along with it. Life is
limited and it is difficult to experience all the wonders oneself, but books
can enlarge the experience of being alive.
Books
without house can also be considered as a body without soul. As a soul defines
a person and its overall character, similarly books give meaning and character
to the homes. The word BOOK can be expanded to stand for each letter: B, bridge
that connects one to K, knowledge. Between them are two Os, Objects and
Opinions. Books are diverse in nature and consist of all kinds of objects in
the world. Authors put them into words and we learn from them through reading.
But understanding what is read is utmost otherwise it's like roaming in a
circular motion and constraining oneself Critical thinking of what is read is
essential to absorb the contents. This is how one is able to respect the
author's view and also create one's opinions. Thus, books acts as a bridge
which built objects and opinions to knowledge. Knowledge is power and to be
powerful, one must cross this bridge.
Books thus act as a ladder for human progress.
Books can be considered to be the quietest and most constant of friends whom
you can trust blindly; they are also most accessible and wisest of counselors;
and the most patient of teacher. Books are our friends in a real sense. They
demand nothing from us and give us immense joy. We also learn a lot from them.
They take us into a different world of imagination. They built up one's mental
well being and broaden the mind. Books let me travel the world without moving
our feet. They teach us the norms of the society and show the pathways of life.
Books make one lively, content, knowledgeable, enriched and sharp. They thus,
should be an integral part of one's life. They must reside in our homes. A home
without books is like a tree without birds. A tree is defined by its qualities
of giving shelter, food and wood. It is an epitome of strength and growth.
Similar to how a tree keeps one grounded and connects one to the roots, books
brings us closer to our inner self and makes us calmer and beholder of deeper
things. Trees are shelter to birds. Without birds, trees look deserted. Birds
fly all day but at the end come back to the tree. They bring in the life in
trees with their chirpiness. Same way humans may wander all around, but it is
the books where he will find ultimate solace.
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