How to devour a book

"Look at it. See it. Are you looking? Are you seeing? Yes..good. Now, take it in your hands. 

Feel it. 
Run your fingers down the spine. Make sure you get all the ends. Be careful, gentle even. You could hurt yourself. 

Next. 
Close your eyes, bring it upto your face. Still gently caressing it. Make your fingers create a ripple across the pages...mmm...eyes closed, let your sense of smell take over. Feel that warm flutter? Sense the magic? Smells like home, doesn't it? Are you excited? Scared? I can't promise that you will be fine after it's through with you though...no one is ever the same once they star--No no no. Don't stop. Don't worry. 

Open your eyes again... Don't be nervous. Open it up,the book. Gently with love. Set your eyes on the words now, devour them. Your mind, let it absorb the meaning."

"When do I stop?" he asked looking up. His mouth slightly open. 

"When you feel something." 

An hour later, he looks up. "Now what?" He asks, breathless and glassy-eyed

"Now. You take what you're feeling and you wrap your gaping lips around it. Leave it on your tongue. Let your mouth do its job. Wait for it...less dry now? Roll that feeling around your mouth, let every taste bud try it...hmm..eyes closed...yes. Let it sink in. Familiarise yourself with it. You don't want to miss out anything. Take what its given you. Let it wash over your being..Deep breath...take it in. 

Consume it, let it consume you."

Copyright © Kanika Chopra. 2014.  All Rights Reserved