Living A Tale
Dear Rheeda,
I hope this meets you well. I am still basking in the excitement of reaching a milestone. I am pleased to inform you that I purchased a new bicycle seat cap. I was told by the trader that it is called Kangol caps. Interestingly, he was right. I also figured that there is a fashion brand called Kangol Headwears. How much we get to learn not just from books—the beauty in conversations.
I have been on a mission since last month. The mission is to explore and document the reader-friendly spaces in the city. Thus far, 19 locations have been explored and documented. I am unto the 20th. On each of the missions, I am armed with a book—one for each location—my sixth senses, curiosity, and awakened perceptibility. Of course, I had my notepad.
At every location, I spent most of the time trying to read the entire book. I was unable to finish at every location, but I always leave with something to say about the venue as it concerns a reader like myself who pays attention to the environmental conditions when reading.
On one of these visits, I experienced something wonderful. I was the character in a tale I think you must be familiar with.
The tale:
This man was a stranger in an unknown land. He visited a restaurant. A post by the entrance reads: EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT! SOMEONE HAS PAID FOR YOU. He ate to his fill. (A friend said the story ended when he was also asked to pay for his own children so that they would also benefit. Whether he paid, I do not know.)
Yes, I was the man in the story.
So, I was in one of the locations under exploration. I had spent about a quarter or two of the available time with the book for that location. This location is one of the few places I frequent. The premises had a small kiosk which met the stomach needs of every user of the facility. They offered noodles, biscuits, and all kinds of bottled soft drinks.
From my limited funds, I made an order for a light snack to satisfy my hungry stomach. Just as I made for my seat I was called by the lady in the kiosk. ‘Hello, please excuse me.’ She continued, ‘My madam instructed me to prepare a plate of noodles for you. She said someone paid for you.’
‘Someone paid for me?’ I was taken aback. I requested her to repeat what she said. I stood there askance with mouth agape, just wondering who the strange fellow is—the one who is said to have purchased a plate of noodles. The attendant failed to remember the name of the fellow who is said to have paid for the meal, so we had to wait until the manager of the space who gave the instruction returned and confirmed the story.
The manager returned a while later and confirmed the story to be true. I marvelled. It was a friend who paid for the meal. She knew that I am a frequent visitor and so she decided to purchase the noodles for me rather than return for her change when next she visits. Rather than call to inform me, she instructed the keepers to relate the information as they had done. I tell you, my friend is a master of surprises. I was thrilled by the way the news unfolded.
Was I asked to pay for someone else? Well, no. But I don’t mind doing the very same for someone else. Now, it doesn’t necessarily have to be by purchasing a meal. I could make such investments to benefit someone coming after me. I could make a setting more conducive for someone who may come along the path in the future. I could do the same by making the most of my potential, giftings, and just about any resource I possess that will make for a better experience for folks coming behind.
The noodles whetted my appetite and enhanced my reading experience. I was reading The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis on that mission. A good book, noodles, and wonder make a good mix. I wish I found a way to talk about this experience in the account of that visit but I couldn’t. It simply didn’t fit the account. However, the account of the exploration and a review of the book and those of the other explorations are on the RANDOM DESPATCHES Facebook page. Ensure you check them out, via this link even: exploring reader-friendly spaces in Jos.
I wish you could do the same in your city. You can just share the updates of every city—even just a single one—on your timeline. You may just be setting up one of your readers for a thrilling experience—finding a reader-friendly space that is long-desired could be a satisfying experience for bookish people and their likes.
Well, I have been unto other interesting and challenging missions and experiences lately. I’ll relate more with you as the milestones are reached. Before they come, I implore you to never tire to say a prayer for me always; that I never lose my wonder. That I get to see the wonder in the little things we sometimes take for granted. I pray for the grace to do the same for you also.
Until I write to you soon, stay beautiful, a blessing, wonder, and more.
Kindly write to me soon. Thank you.
I remain your faithful Letter Man—so help me God: Tongjal, W. N.
You can now pre-order Levography and Grace by KaatNanret with Cinplangnan. Follow this link: Pre-order Levography and Grace. You can preview the book before payment on the site the link takes you to.
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