Mr. Twain And I!

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain

15 years ago I was introduced to Mr. twain. I was at my dad's clinic eager to go home, my dad saw that one last patient and I stormed out of the building with boredom left behind. On our way to the car - which was parked 2 streets away- I stopped at my favorite place, the library at the corner of the street . I was and still am a huge fan of stationary; colored pens, name tags, pencil cases, fancy rubber ( the one that had two sides one for pens and other for pencils, though I never used pens until 8th grade, but I always loved to be ready!) So I entered the library just to explore the shelves with their many colorful goods. and I saw a book stand, on it were hardcover books with a similar caption: "International Novels" that was so catchy for a girl as inquisitive as myself, but what really caught my eye is a book titled: The adventures of huckleberry Finn. The name was so familiar because at the time The adventures of Tom Sawyer was my favorite cartoon and Huck, as we all know, was Tom's best friend.

Not knowing, at that time, that Tom Sawyer's cartoon was based on a novel; I was amazed to find Huck's name on a book. I still remember how thrilled I was when I picked that book up flipped it and read what was written on the back:

"This book captures the adventure of Huck Finn with his best friend Tom sawyer and their loyal friends"

It was a children's simplified version of the book, but that caption sealed the deal for me. I would be able to know what happens in the cartoon even before they air it! I get to know Tom more, more than everyone maybe more than the T.V series itself, really that what made me buy the book!

I fell in love with the book, the images that I had in my head for Huck and Tom, for Jimm the "nigger" for all the characters of the book were The greatest things that happened to me. I fell in love with the book and afterwards with reading!

I went back to that library many many times, buying other books for Mr. Twain. I knew the Mississippi at the age of 9, I sailed with them down that river many times and alone in my head it flowed endlessly.

Thanks to Mr. Twain I dreamed of going there someday, of rowing through a river, of living in a tree house and of making justice. He instilled his world into my mind and adventure into my heart.

Now every time I start reading a book I remember the face my mind imagined for Huck Finn 15 years ago, I remember how intoxicated I felt back then, how happy, eager and exited.

15 years later I read this quote above for Mr. Twain and I smile because his words are still tackling my heart, and that makes me glad because what touched my heart back then still does right now; after all of this time I am still the 9 year old eager for freedom, eager for life!