A visit to Bookistan

Story published in Young Nation, 3 September 2011

A visit to Bookistan

“And the first position goes to Fahad Khan”, teacher announced while students were clapping, Fahad came forward and took the report card from teacher with a happy face and moved towards his best friend Maaz who was failed in two papers as always.

““Congratulations Mr. Nerd!” Maaz wished Fahad. “Thanks bud” Fahad murmured. “What’s happen to you?” Maaz asked. “You are failed in two papers, Maaz be serious with your studies. This is your high time…” Fahad was replying Maaz interrupted him. “Common Fadi…I write every answer correct in the paper but the teacher doesn’t have the caliber to understand my answers. Poor she!” said Maaz proudly. “Yeah yeah Mr. Einstein…Lets go. I’ve to buy some books on the way to home.” said Fahad. “Books…?? No not again!!” said Maaz with a peevish face. On the way to Book stall, Maaz asked, “So dude where the party is tonight?” “No party tonight. I am going to my Grandma’s house.” Fahad replied while moving towards the book stall. “Okay man the treat is due on you”, said Maaz. Fahad was fond of books at the time he was looking the books, Maaz was whistling. He stooped whistle when a golden cover book caught his eyes as he started moving towards the book. The book became more and more glorious as if it was calling Maaz come towards me! Fahad’s attention diverted by Maaz’s footsteps as Maaz moved his hand to pick up the book Fahad picked it first “Ahan what a lucky book you are, what’s your name?”Bookistan” nice name “, Fahad addressed the book. “Mr. Cool dude wants to read you. There must be something special in you”, Fahad added while he was scanning the book. “Maaz this book is not for you”, said Fahad with a clever smile. “May I ask why?” asked Maaz. “It's contained all our course exercises. It’s a combo of math, chemistry, physics exercises and vice versa.” said Fahad but Maaz eyes were sticked to the book. The book had a very strong influence on Maaz’s heart while staring the cover he said, “I want to buy it”. “Really…?? Great buddy! It’s a gift from me to you”: said Fahad with a friendly smile. Maaz checked time and said, “Thanks bud, It’s too late now let’s go home.”

            At night Maaz was sleeping on his bed. He woke up by some unpleasant noises as if many people were talking loudly. He nervously looked here and there to found out the people but no one was in the room. Suddenly, the golden pages of the book got his sleepy eyes in which lots of rabbits were talking. Maaz rubbed his sleepy eyes. He thought as if he was in a dream but the scene didn’t change. He moved towards the book as he put the book in front of his eyes, the book pulled him inside. Maaz was very nervous. He was looking here and there to recognize the place until a rabbit came close to him “welcome in “Bookistan” the world of rabbits” rabbit greeted Maaz. “How can you speak? Umm...Umm…you are a rabbit”, astonish Maaz asked, with in a second many rabbits encircled him and said, “We all can speak…ha…ha…ha” Maaz got very scared “I want to go back…I want to go home…Mom…Mom…help me!!”, scared Maaz said. “you want to go home?” rabbit asked, Maaz moved his neck positively “Alright my boy then you have to solve all the exercises of this book to reach the last chapter that is your exist and for every wrong answer your one humanly organ turn into rabbit’s organ and If all answers are wrong then you will become a rabbit like us and will remain in Bookistan for life time ha…ha…ha” said rabbit while laughing wildly. Maaz cried a lot till he ran out of his breath but he gather all his scattered spirits and emotions and decided to solve the exercises. He moved towards math section and failed to solve the sums as a result his ears turn into rabbit’s ears and a tail also came out. He stopped solving the exercises and started crying again but no one was there to hear his painful cry.

            Next morning Fahad went to Maaz’s house. “Maaz good morning where are you?” Fahad shouted in his room but no reply came from Maaz. Suddenly Fahad eyes caught into the golden pages of the book. He turned the pages and found Maaz crying inside the book, with a blink of an eye the book pulled him inside. Fahad was a wise and smart boy; he has watched and read many mysterious stories and movies. Fahad without wasting anytime move towards Maaz. “Maaz my friend” said Fahad. Maaz stood up and ran towards Fahad and hugged him “Thank God you are here!” “What happen to your ears…O my God you also have a tail…what happen to you?” astonished Fahad asked. Maaz told him that we are in Bookistan. He further told him about the rules and regulations of that world. Fahad decided to solve the exercises as soon as he corrected the wrong questions Maaz started turning in human form... Fahad successfully solved all the math exercises and moved towards chemistry section. At one formula Fahad got confused. ”wha...wha…what happen Fadi, why do you stop? Solve it”, Maaz stammered. “I am trying to memorize the formula. I remember, sir Minhaj has taught us in class. Do you remember?” Fahad asked, Maaz turned his neck down with shame. “Oh! Don’t be sad. I am trying” said Fahad. At this moment, Maaz promised to God “If we successfully made it to move out from this world, I’ll concentrate on my studies.” “Eureka! I got the answer” said Fahad in happy tone. Fahad put all the right answers and completed all the exercises.

            Fahad solved all the exercises and they safe and sound came out from the book. They hugged each other with watery eyes. “Kids breakfast is ready” Maaz’s mother shouted. “Coming mom” Maaz replied with a peaceful smile on his face.

.           They returned the book to the shopkeeper. Now there is a strong competition between both the friends that who will be next position holder of the class.