An  Autobiography of a Dictionary  In  a  University  Library

Kailash Sarma

                       I am a dictionary. I am proud of being a dictionary, that too in a university library. I contain the vocabulary of a language with their meanings. People have to come to me to look for meanings of words they do not know. Many people contact me daily. The very idea that people are after me but I am not after them excites me. I am a source of knowledge for them. I feel very happy thinking the fact that I open up their mind when they open me up and go through me.

                   But I am worried about one fact that all human beings are not alike. Some people handle me with great care. They pick me up from the rack and carefully open me up and turn my pages one by one without any hurry. I like their mannerism, behaviour and attitude to me. They know me and understand me better. They have an intimacy with me. They know that if they use me roughly I will get destroyed and damaged and eventually I will die. While there are some people who handle me roughly and without showing any affection. They pick me up from the rack without taking any care. They hold me tightly with one hand. I feel as if I am strangled to death. Sometimes they throw me on the table and rack. It is a hit and slap on my cheek. When they turn my pages, they turn in rude manner. Sometimes they even fold pages. It is really a humiliation to me. I do not like their manner and behaviour. I feel sorry to think that being human animal, they have not learned this yet. They can do this to me because I always keep myself silent. I am humble and polite. I always retain my dignity. It is better not to talk to these people and not to lose one’s prestige and dignity.

                    I often see beautiful fairy-like girls and ladies. I feel happy when they touch me mildly and carefully. I enjoy their gentle touch and fragrance of captivating scent. I am an angel in the company of these fairies. I feel as if I am in heaven and garden of Eden.

                   One thing that I would like to boast about myself is that I am not biased. I do not believe in gender discrimination. I believe on equality. I distribute knowledge to anyone whoever comes to me because I believe in the proverb “knowledge is power”.