Today I finished reading a very beautiful book.
It was a children’s book… I had ignored this book before
because of the same reason. But on last Friday I thought I will read it anyway
since I love Children’s stories and the book was available in my Office’s
library. I still enjoy reading the fairy tales and the Jataka tales.
So coming back to this book… The book is ‘How I Taught My
Grandmother to Read and Other Stories’ by Sudha Murthy. As you all know Sudha
Murthy is a social worker, author and the spouse of Narayana Murthy of Infosys.
I was already in love with this woman when I completed the
first few stories of this book. I remember my friend’s sister referring to
Sudha Murthy as a ‘Gem of a Woman’. I found that the remark is absolutely true.
My perspective on teaching and work was permanently changed by this simple
humble book and its author. The most beautiful thing about the book is that the
message comes from so many people- author’s grandparents, daughter, JRD Tata
and so many others. The books teach us
that the most eye-opening lessons of life come from such simple stories. The
stories teach you about life and sometimes the stories change your life.
So many things struck me in this book especially the things
said by the author’s grandmother.
‘Child, whenever you want to give something to somebody,
give the best in you, never the second best. That is what I learned from life.
God is not there in the temple, mosque or church. He is with the people. If you
serve them with whatever you have, you have served God.’ Says the author’s
grandmother in the book.
I am planning to read all her books and I think I can’t wait
another minute to run to the store and buy every book they have, written by
Sudha Murthy.
Please read this book
if possible and please tell these stories to your children. It might change
their lives.
