A HEART-TO-HEART CONVERSATION

(a fairytale)

            Once upon a time, in a large empty classroom there met two Dictionaries, Longman and Oxford, and started a conversation. “Nice to see a familiar face! How are you getting on, Oxey? It is great honour for me to see you after such a long time,” Longman said.

            A year ago they used to be neighbours on a bookstore shelf, both so noticeable and reputable that the rest of the books envied them, awaiting for their future owners to share their proficient knowledge with. They counted days then to the beginning of a new academic year at the university when dozens of freshers were supposed to buy them. As soon as this happened in early September they lost touch with each other facing no prospect of meeting again.

            But small is the world! Left by their owners, now sophomores, on the desk in one of the classrooms during the long break, the Dictionaries got a nice chance of talking heart-to-heart. “There is nothing to boast about,” replied Oxford, ready to make a confession. “My main concern is unforgivable pointlessness in studies of my owner and his heartless attitude to me. He makes no real efforts in learning the word treasures and uses me mostly as a place mat to put hot cups on. Several times I was split coffee, tea and juice on, which caused extensive damage to my pages. Look, how stained my cover is! I am even afraid to go up in flames one day after using me as an ashtray for putting cigarettes out. In a word, I live in utter chaos, feeling completely useless and defenseless.”

            Longman’s reaction was quite emotive, ”How severe your owner is! I propose that such students should be expelled from the university; they are nothing but a real eyesore for the Academy community, aren’t they? And I assure you that sooner or later he will.”

            “Well, that’s enough about him. Do me a favour, Longey, and tell a few words about yourself.”

 “Oh, my life is entirely different,” started Oxford, his voice sounding apologetic. “My owner does no such thing as yours. I’m used and kept in a proper way. No wonder, I’ve helped him to excel in mastering English. As a result, he is second to none at the Vocabulary Expanding classes now.”

            “Great! Your relations are sure to be a classic example of true friendship,” summed up Oxford and started to recite Barbara Walker’s “Book Look” poem. At that very moment the bell rang and a group of students rushed into the classroom listening with astonishment to the speaking Dictionary,

“Since books are friends,
They need much care.
When you’re reading them,
Be good to them and fair!
Use book-marks, students,
To hold your place,
And don’t turn a book
Upon its clear face.

Remember, students, then:
Books are meant to read,
Not cut or colour them -
No, really, never indeed!”

            One can only hope that the Oxford’s careless owner also heard these useful lines and soon will change for the better.