The Idea of an Essay, Volume 4

24 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 4 so lazy. I gently rouse her; she opens her eyes, licks her lips with her long, pink tongue, and promptly returns to her nap. My last source of entertainment has failed me. It’s time to do something drastic. Returning to my bedroom, I pick the “200-year-old” copy of Tom Sawyer. Sighing loudly, I begin reading. “This book is such a drag,” I think to myself. Twenty minutes later I am totally engrossed in the wonderful story called Tom Sawyer. I am reading about a young boy named Tom, and he is just like me! Tom is the very definition of adventure: he sneaks out at night, he runs away to an island, and searches for buried treasure. This is the first book I have read that I truly connect with and understand. This is almost as good as playing outside. Somehow, I feel like reading this book is helping me connect with nature in a subtle, yet effective way. Perhaps I don’t necessarily have to be outside to experience nature. Two weeks later, I read the last word with deep satisfaction, knowing that I have gained something that cannot be gained any other way. Reading can help me understand and appreciate the world in a way I never imagined. Reading is almost as beautiful as experiencing nature itself. Reading makes the world around me more tangible. The best part is that it is right at my fingertips whenever I want it. I don’t have to wait for a clear, sunny day because all I have to do is open a book and discover a wealth of adventure, mystery, and knowledge. It’s a cold, winter day, and outside it is snowing and the wind is almost too cold to bear. I am sitting in my dorm room, surrounded by pictures of my friends and family, school supplies, and many books. My roommate brews coffee, and I willingly breathe in the pleasing aroma. Today, I am content to be inside. Today, I have much to learn. I don’t need a beautiful, sunny day to experience joy and satisfaction. I have the opportunity to learn about the world that God created through the beauty of literacy.