Jakarta. In the future—the year 2034, to be precise—Ratna stares in awe at the piles of books in the school library. To her, they’re like a plague to be avoided. The smell of aging paper, the dense rows of letters, and the thick pages make her dizzy before she can even begin.
He often wondered, “Why do people enjoy reading? Isn’t it more fun to play games, go for a walk, or just chat casually in a cafe?”
For her, reading was just an extra burden, something that wasted time and made her head full. This view spread to Ratna’s daily life, to the point where she avoided the library as if it were a strange, boring space.
Her friends—Agus, Niman, Nita, Wulan, and Rajab—shared nearly the same view. They preferred spending their time on activities they considered more enjoyable, such as hanging out at cafes, cycling around town, playing online games late into the night, or simply wandering aimlessly.
In the group, there was only one person who stood out: Sari. This serene-faced girl studied diligently, read books diligently, and often jotted down notes about the things she was contemplating.
This difference in habits often irritated Sari; because every time she opened a book and tried to concentrate, her friends would come and invite her to go out and have fun.
One afternoon, Sari sat pensively on a deserted school bench. A half-open book lay before her, but her thoughts were no longer focused on the lines. She wondered how she could foster a love of reading among her friends.
Sari understands that books are more than just collections of letters, but windows to a vast world, where ideas and imaginations grow without limits. But how can she make others realize this wonder when they’re so content to pursue instant entertainment? The question persisted, until Sari finally resolved to find a solution.
Finally, the opportunity came. Sari received word from the village that her cousin was looking for two books on philosophy and literature. She knew they were no ordinary reads.
The philosophy book I’m looking for contains a journey of captivating thought, while the literature book I’m looking for is about a field that’s not just a stretch of weeds, but a space full of life, a symbol of freedom, and a place to discover the joys of childhood. These works of literature are rich in beautiful language and touching stories.
So, with enthusiasm, Sari approached her friends. “Guys, you often invite me to hang out. This time, it’s your turn. Come with me to find a book for my brother in a remote village. The title is interesting, you know. Would you like one?” she said hopefully.
Hearing the request, they were initially reluctant. Just the thought of entering a bookstore made them yawn. However, feeling indebted to Sari, who had always complied with their invitations, they finally nodded in agreement. Thus began a new journey they had never imagined: book hunting.
From one shop to another, from a tidy shopping mall to a crowded flea market in Kwitang, the search felt strangely like an adventure. Curiosity slowly grew in their hearts.
The search lasted for days, filled with laughter, fatigue, and petty arguments about which store to visit. But all the effort paid off when they finally found the two books they were looking for.
At a secondhand bookstall, Rajab raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why would someone in a remote village ask for this book?” Nita—who was also flipping through the worn cover—replied with a smile, “Maybe it’s good. Look, the first page alone makes you curious.”
Agus and Niman exchanged glances, not expecting a book to spark such curiosity. Meanwhile, Wulan began reading the synopsis on the back cover, as if searching for more reasons to understand its allure.
Ratna, who is usually allergic to books, couldn’t resist opening the first page. She suddenly paused, her eyes scanning sentence after sentence. “Oh, this is interesting, isn’t it?” she muttered absently. From there, everything changed.
As soon as they had the book in their hands, they scrambled to read it. The first book, with all its philosophical explanations, made them think more deeply about life, who they really were, and why the world worked the way it did.
Meanwhile, the second book presents a fresh literary nuance, full of imagination and a beauty of language rarely found in everyday entertainment. They are suddenly immersed in a new world they had previously avoided.
Ironically, they were so engrossed in reading that they almost forgot that the books were supposed to be delivered to remote villages soon. Ratna, who once hated books, now couldn’t tear herself away from the storyline.
Agus and Niman began discussing, exchanging opinions about the characters they encountered in the book’s pages. Wulan diligently jotted down favorite lines in her small notebook. Even Rajab—who usually couldn’t stay away from the games on his phone—was willing to put the game on hold to continue reading.
Seeing the change, Sari simply smiled with satisfaction. Her strategy had worked. She didn’t need to force them or give them a long lecture about the importance of reading. She simply piqued their curiosity with a simple mission: help them find books.
From there, the path to a love of literacy began to unfold. Sari learned that motivating others doesn’t always have to be with solemn words, but can be through real-life experiences that move the heart.
After they finished reading some of it in turns, they finally sent the book to Sari’s cousin in the village. However, their experience didn’t stop there. In fact, their growing curiosity led them to decide to buy the same book for each of them.
This time, they went to the bookstore voluntarily; not because Sari invited them, but because they felt compelled. This newfound enthusiasm made them feel like they had discovered a long-hidden hobby.
Now, whenever they get together, it’s not just about traveling or playing games. There are also lively discussions about book characters, debates about the meaning of life they’ve encountered, and even plans to write their own stories.
Ratna—who once stared at books as if they were enemies—now finds reading a favorite escape. She realizes that books aren’t a plague, but rather a cure for boredom and open new horizons.
From two books that were initially just a gift, a new habit emerged between them: reading and discussing. Sari felt relieved that her efforts were not in vain. She knew that literacy requires strategy, patience, and a little bit of cunning.
But the most important thing is how to light a small fire within someone. And when that fire is lit, it will grow into a light that is not easily extinguished. That’s how, from a simple story about “the difficulty of reading”, a new togetherness full of meaning was finally born.
This article has been published at https://kumparan.com/beiwitono/susahnya-membaca-buku-kok-bisa-25vZ0TblP5D/full
Credit: Odemus Bei Witono
Director of the Strada Association, Education Observer, Columnist, Short Story Writer, Doctoral Candidate in Philosophy at STF Driyarkara, Jakarta, and Football Fan.
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