1110. The bookworm

When Latha came to Sekar's house for the first time, she found that books were kept at various spots in the house.

"Why have you spread your books all over your house? Your house looks like a waste paper mart!" said Latha.

"You are echoing my mother's voice" said Sekar. "My house is small. There is no space for keeping all the books at one place. That's why I have kept the books at various places in my house" he added.

A trace of concern arose in Latha's mind.

"When I came to your house for the first time, I began to doubt whether my decision to marry you was right" said Latha, running her fingers through Sekar's hair. The two of them got married only that day.

"Why? Were you worried that my house is too small?"

"No. I was worried about the books that lay scattered at various places in your house."

"Did you think that since my books occupied a lot of space in the house, there won't be enough space to keep your things in the house?"

"In spite of having read so many books, you remain a dummy!" said Latha, whacking his head, playfully. "I was worried that you could be a bookworm and that you won't pay any attention to me."

"Oh! Interesting. But, what are you thinking now?" 

"Now? You have been choking me with your love so much that I wonder whether you don't have any work other than showing your love to me!" said Latha, touching his cheeks with her palms, affectionately.

"As far as I am concerned, you are also a book. People say, reading books will make us knowledgeable. But when I read a book, I only realize how much ignorance I have and how much more there is for me to learn. I end up with a feeling of amazement about how much is there for me to learn. As you said just now, I feel that I am a dummy. So, after reading a book, I develop a desire to learn more and more by reading more and more. Every time I read you, you amaze me like a new book. And I crave to read you again and again. As I realize that there is more and more for me to read in you, my love for you keeps increasing more and more" said Sekar, hugging her with affection.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 111
The Joy of Being Together in Love

Verse 1110 (in Tamil):
aRithoRu aRiyAmai kaNdaRRAl kAmam
seRithoRum  sEyizhai mAttu.

Meaning:

The joy I get by being together with this girl, wearing shining jewels, is similar to the learning that we get by reading books, the learning  that we need to learn more.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'lathAvin kavalai' by the same author.)

Verse 1111
Verse 1109