The birthday gift
Both of them searched every corner of the house with the hope of finding some money. The old clothes, old drawers and cupboards were dusted and thoroughly searched, but with no luck.
“What do we do? We have no money for her gift.”, he said.
“It is okay, she’ll understand dear”, she tried to calm him down.
“But it is her 10th birthday. And as parents we need to make it special for her by giving her a gift at least”
“The I say you give her some of the books that you own. She already looks at them with so much interest. May be it is time for her to start reading some good books”, she suggested.
He wasn’t against the idea because he knew all the books that he owned would someday be hers. But he wanted to give her her own set of books. But he had no choice now.
And she smiled when she saw her birthday gift.
**********************************
“Grandma, what is the best birthday gift you’ve got?”
“These”, she said as she sniffed the books once again, careful while turning the delicate pages for fear that they would tear. It had become an annual ritual now.
Word Count: 200
This post is written in response to the above picture prompt at Sunday Photo Fiction.
Also linking this to the Daily Prompt’s prompt-Careful
I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
That’s my favourite gift too.There’s seriously nothing better than a book as gift for a book lover.Great story Reema
Thank you Amrita
Beautiful…
Thanks!
This is my favourite gift too 🙂
Yes, there can be no better gift for a bibliophile!
What a fabulous story! I have got many books from my Papa and I do cherish them. I even have a book that was bought for me before I was born. I love that one a lot 🙂
That is so sweet! To have a book bought for you even before you were born!
Beautiful one Reema! Books are more than just memories aren’t they? They become like a Horcrux sometimes I feel….a part of you!!
Yes, they really become a part of us Kala. Thanks 🙂
Really loved the coda at the end many years later, made a lovely tale, well written.
Thank you 🙂
My favourite gift too.
Yes, a lot of us love such gifts!
Give me books any day and I’m a happy soul.
Sometimes I think that the only reason I might have children is to pass on my books to them 😛
Hahahaha.. what a reason to have kids Soumya!
The joy of receiving books as gifts cannot be traded for money. A touching story of rainy phase in life on how it can break parents’ heart but a beautiful, priceless gift would make the child’s day:)
Yes, the joy of receiving books is the best!
Perfect! And I would definitely cherish them all! 🙂
Yes 🙂
Books certainly make the most perfect gift!
Yes, they do!
Books are ageless and timeless too. When you gift a good book to someone, it remains with them and the the whole experience of treading it lasts a life time!!!! SO true Reema
Yes, books last forever!
Really beautiful tale, how her Dad’s precious books were the most valuable gift she ever received in life; better than Dad purchasing her her own books. What lovely mementos to remember her Dad with and show her Grandchildren when she has aged.
Thank you 🙂
That is really good. I like it. What an amazing reaction to the gift. To make it an annual ritual.
Thank you 🙂