Unexpected inserts in a book

                                    Unexpected inserts in a book

When you borrow a book from a library or a friend, occasionally you may find some slips of paper like some cash receipt, slip of paper containing some address or phone number etc. They are left in the books as a temporary book mark and forgotten. The book might have been used as a carrier / courier / container for temporary transit. Such unexpected or unwanted inserts may have interesting stories to tell.

 Some inserts I have seen in some books are:

                        Library Fine receipt

Cinema ticket

Bus/train ticket

Cash memo of purchases

Some Envelope forgotten to be posted

Love letter to potential target

bookcrossing label

Dhobi / laundry slip

Shopping list

regular bookmarks

Wedding invitations

Greeting cards

Dried tree leaf

Dried flowers

Peacock feather

some other bird’s feather

Nylon thread/wire

Scented strips

Playing card

Slips betraying PIN Password

Coded message to a girlfriend

Notes on book content

Agenda 4 meetings  

calculations

Appointments    

I once asked a bibliopole – second hand / rare book dealer – enquiring what inserts he finds in the books that are sold to him. He narrated a story about one old one rupee note that fetched him a lot of money. I remember reading that a one rupee note of 1935 Signed by Governor Kelly is worth Rupees seven lakhs! Therefore, it is worthwhile checking twice before selling away old books!

If you dwell upon such inserts with specific reference to the person from you got the book or from whom your book was returned, you may discern many secrets. Guesswork is not only mind-engaging with an element of detective spirit, but also test-worthy: after all, all minds think like, don’t they?

 

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Hand Towel as a Gift

                                        Hand Towel as a Gift

I was given a Blue colored Hand towel, embroidered with the name of the friend who gave it like:  “Mr & Mrs   XYZ  I.A.S”. Yes, it is true that this ‘friend’ was seeking publicity in such a cheap way and he was an IAS officer. Funny. He was a retired IAS officer but his wife was just a housewife. He could not even discern the inappropriateness of the lettering.

However, the towel is useful. I use it to dry my face or feet after washing them with water. Normally, I dry my hands and face first and lasty my feet. Sometimes it is the other way around -- I feel a bit uneasy about soiling my face dirtied by wiping the feet first.

Then I came up with a solution. The towel has two sides. I use the embroidered side for feet and the other side for face, hands etc . Now, should I not thank the friend for incorporating a solution for my problem? I have no bad opinion about him anymore.

Changing one’s mind from bad to good about a situation / person is a good thing. It shows I have a mind of my own that is active, dynamic and kicking. And I have the courage to look at positive side of things.

Bye, bye for the Blah, Blah! Let me move on to next blog post.