Visiting a Book Fair

One day our class teacher announced that we were going to visit a book fair that was being held in the Sundarvati Hall. We cheered loudly for it meant that there would be no lessons for at least half a day.

We lined up outside the classroom. Then we walked in pairs out of the school, up the bridge, down the other side of the street. Soon we were into the hall. The distance of the hall was just a few hundred meters from our school.

There were already many people at the exhibition. Although the hall was very large, yet every bit of space was made use of to display the items. Most of the items were arranged in shelves or on tables. The good thing about such exhibitions is that usually there are gifts and items on offer. This exhibition was no different. At a counter near the entrance, each of us received a keychain as a gift.

At the hall, we were told to behave ourselves and maintain discipline. If we wanted to buy any book, we were to take it to our teacher. We delightedly lost ourselves among the vast number of books on display there.

I was amazed by the number of books on display. There were books on computers, science, technology, music, history, cookery, travel, business, self-help and general interests. Other types of publications include dictionaries, encyclopaedias, maps, novels, greeting cards, magazines and children’s books. Computer software, compact discs and other items published in electronic media were also available.

As it was impossible to look all the books, I spent time glancing mainly among my favourite books on history and fiction novels. However, as much as the books were wonderful, the prices were disheartening. I could not afford to buy a single book. I decided to visit the exhibition some other day with my mother to purchase some books.

Time passed quickly. Two hours seemed like two minutes. Soon our teacher told us to assemble at the main door of the hall. At the special discount counter, she helped the students to pay their money for the books they had bought. Not many of us bought books, as they were too expensive.

After paying for the books, we lined up and returned in pairs to school.