What will you do when you are free? I have been asking some teenagers the same question recently. Their answers are sleeping, watching TV, playing computer games, shopping and traveling. “ Have you read some books?” I asked in a low voice
for I was afraid to hear the negative answer. I know some of them will think it
is ridiculous to do some reading when they are not at school. But to my surprise, one of the boys said that he liked reading books about how to use computer softwares and when he was free, he would use these softwares to design his own webpage.
I feel very happy for him, and I think it is unfair for his teacher to regard him as a unmanageable student just because he is a chiphead and he seems to show less interest to his textbooks.
To me, reading is one part of my life. It is not exaggerated to say I will feel
uncomfortable without reading books, magazines or newspapers. I can always find
some interesting or useful articles in them. So I am always surprised to see piles of recent newspaper are sold without being read from many offices.
About 10 years ago, I studied in a so-called “main high school”. Behind it there was a working building for the officials of the Educational Bureau. Some naughty boy students were so curious about them that they became conscious of their
working situation. They said the officials began to sit in the offices at 9a.m.
and they left there at 10a.m. During this hour, they chatted, drank tea and read
newspapers.
Several years later, they moved to a new, modern and big building. I guess the new air-conditioners may keep them sit there for a longer time. But on the other
hand, the better devices have taken the place of the newspapers. I feel sorry for the newspapers for it is a crystal of the hard work of many editors, writers,
pressmen and typographers. But they are so easily sold with very little use.
I think it is a good idea for universities, schools to open their libraries to all the citizens. And I know many people like reading but it is a big cost for them to buy books nowadays. So lending books from all kinds of libraries is a cheaper and more convenient way to learn something.
I am often laughed at by others as “a book-worm”. But I don’t care. I know there is more hope if a nation likes reading. So get rid of your laziness or any other excuses, and just read what you like in the good books.
