Waiting For the Book

However much he wanted to, my twelve year old son could not hide his strong yearning to possess the forthcoming Harry Potter book. Ever since the news about the book “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” hit the headlines, his mission of tracking all developments about the publication had got underway.

As he bombarded me with all the tidbits about the book, I found myself getting interested. Then one day, an online bookstore announced taking preorder of the book. The image of the book cover in the preorder page became our computer’s wallpaper. Every time I switched on the computer, Harry Potter’s tranquil face stared at mine. Other Potter trivia got piled up in the house and clamored for attention; soon it became impossible to put the magic boy out of yur minds.

Amid this entire brouhaha one thing struck me as unusual. Although the coming of the new book had set my son agog, he had never asked me to preorder one for him. A little prodding dug out the reason—he didn’t want to burden me with the prohibitive price of a brand new American edition. He could wait for a moderately priced Indian version that was sure to come out in a few months. Very thoughtful for a twelve year old in-deed!

But how could the indulgent father in me capitulate to this kind of the considerate thinking of a child? I could not allow my son’s excitement wither away like this. Next morning, a brimming son was seen thanking his contented father before a computer screen, showing the payment accepted message for the new Harry Potter book. The countdown for June 21, the book release date had begun. With the magic date so close, the air of anticipation became so palpable that you could stab it with a bookmark. As my son waited for the book with bated breath, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

The English teacher of our new class had suggested that we all used a particular dictionary. A few students got it immediately. When I checked it up in the library, I fell in love with the book instantaneously. The dictionary was complete with pictures, usages, and many useful appendices. The desire to own one possessed me. But this foreign edition boasted a price that was too steep for my limited monthly allowances as a hostel border. I wrote to father to send extra money immediately, but he asked me to wait till his next visit. I can still recall my mounting expectancy as I waited for the appointed day.

The magic moment came, the book was purchased, and a contented father did not mind the absent-mindedness of his son for the rest of the evening. I remained preoccupied with my prize possession for many weeks to come. I am still using the dictionary twenty-seven years after it was purchased.

As we waited for the new Harry Potter book, I only wished that my son grew out of its spell much sooner, unless of course he chose to make a career out of the fictional celebrity.

For similar stories please read Hits and Misses. Buy it at Lulu.com or at Amazon.com.