The Read Drive (chapter 2)

Now, class, we can all go to the library and choose some books, so that you can help your class win the competition, Mr. Books said.

      Rio and Gopal both raised their hands, but this time Gopal didn’t wait for Rio to talk. ‘Mr. Books, will there be an award for the best reader?’

      ‘Oh yes, yes, the best reader will get a special golden badge to wear school every day.’

  I looked at Tejas as he waved his lucky pencil harder and I knew he would read all the books in the world to win the competition.

       ‘Ravi and all the Tortoise readers, I can help you choose some books from the library that you can take home and read during the weekends.’ Mr. Books smiled as if this was going to be the best weekend ever.

   I had planned on playing a superhero game with Tejas on the computer, but I am sure after the golden badge announcement, Tejas would not be interested in anything but reading!

   ‘You can try reading some simple biographies, they are interesting to read,’ Mr. Books announced.

        What’s a biography? Gopal asked

        It’s a true story about a person’s life,’ Tejas said.

        Mr. Books smiled. Yes, it has to be a famous person like Gandhi, ….

        ‘Who is Gandhi?’ Rio asked.

        ‘Mahatma Gandhi was a leader who helped India get its

         independence through non-violence,’ Mr. Books said.

         What’s non-violence? Gopal asked.

‘Non-violence is the use of peaceful means to bring about change. Gandhi was unique in his ways. He fought for freedom but he loved even those he fought.’

    I raised my hand and said softly, ‘What about kids who don’t like reading and still want to participate in the night stay and see through the telescope?

    This time I caught Rohan’s attention.

    Mr. Books smiled. ‘I understand, Ravi. You would love to see through the telescope, but all you need is to put in a little effort, to help your class win the Read Drive.’

    I didn’t think it was going to be a “little” effort. It was going to be a “whole lot of effort”. Mr. Books had really given us a book challenge for the night stay in the school and seeing through the telescope. This was too a good an opportunity to miss!

     ‘Mr. Books, happens what to the losing class?’ Rio enquired. She always speaks like the Yoda from the Star Wars actually.

     ‘Yes, Rio, since everyone is going to put in some effort, it would be fair to have ice – cream cones for the losing class too,’ Mr. Books replied kindly

      ‘At least we would get the ice cream cones, because we were no match to the 5b Cheetah readers,’ I thought.

          Rohan gave a big sigh of relief

          We were all headed to the library

‘Hey Ravi, who do you think will get the golden badge?’ Tejas asked enthusiastically.

‘Of course, you! Mathematically speaking, you are the fastest reader in our class, even better than Gopal, though he is not far behind.’

Tejas smiled and made swift motions with his lucky pencil.’ Ravi, you are the best mathematician in the world.’ We did another high five.

      ‘But…in 5b there is another fast Cheetah reader, Annika and she is fast, really fast, even faster than you.’

      ‘Tejas looked nervous now. How do you know that Ravi?’

       ‘Well a mathematician knows everything,’ I said proudly.

      ‘Oh, come on, tell me, tell me, tell me ...’ Tejas coaxed in his usual tone.

‘Krishna, my little monstrous sister, and Annika’s sister, Fiona, are bessssst of friends, they share everything. I mean everything! Krishna even knows the names of the books the Cheetah reader Annika reads,’ I said

       ‘So, what? Tejas asked.

       ‘So, she can read on of your “all words” books with no pictures very            

        very quickly.’

        Tejas chewed on his lucky pencil.

     Annika’s house, room, bathroom, toilet, bedroom bathtub, and the whole house is full of books.’ I could have mentioned the fridge and the kitchen, but I did not want to scare Tejas, after all he was my best friend.

        But Tejas already seemed super worried.

        ‘Don’t worry, I am sure you can beat her.’ I tried to fire him up.

Tejas looked as if butterflies were nibbling his stomach, ‘How many books are you taking home, Ravi?

         ‘You know I don’t like reading.’ I gave Tejas an angry look.

‘But it’s a competition, and our class will lose if you don’t read, and we will never be part of the night stay!” He was right. No win, no night stay and no seeing through the telescope!

         ‘I hate story – books. They are so made up!’. I said

         ‘But a book is like your best friend.’ Tejas said.

         ‘You are comparing me with your story books!’ I snapped Tejas.

How could Tejas ever compare me to his dead book, which were so unrealistic and contained all made up stuff from some author whose brains were stuffed with useless words?

         How boring!

I was not going to let any words fill up my mind because my mind was already filled with numbers, and to me Math was very interesting. Not boring like books!