Of penpals, letters and the Internet...

[shri]

When I was a child and learned about the way the sun illuminated one half of this world while the moon put to sleep the other half, the idea fascinated me endlessly. Often, in my geography class, I would imagine another girl;as old as me going to sleep at the other end of the world while I sat in class,studying,and I would wonder about this

Comments

[sillifluous]

Hey Shri, I had read Misha as a child too. And I had written to a girl called Tzina Karantza (yes, i still remember her name!!)She never replied. Reading your post reminded me of the excitement (and disappointment) of wishing for a penfriend.

And I also know the Dennis you referred to...I had read those stories in Marathi (Dennischya Goshti). :)

[shri]

Oh, I had read the book in Marathi,too! I still have that book. It one of my most coveted treasure from childhood.:)

How did you find the book?

[sillifluous]

I enjoyed reading it then, and I would love to read it even today.
I like the fact that Dennis is a normal boy; neither a goody-two shoes nor a brat.

Some of my favourite Dennis stories - The Red Riding Hood one,
the one where he and his friends play around with paint and the one where his father tells him a story to make him eat his porridge.

[shri]

I like the fact that Dennis is a normal boy; neither a goody-two shoes nor a brat.

I agree.

The paint one is my fav. too, also a story called 'Lattha thapadi' which is I think about one of his neighbours or one of his Mom's friends.

I am so enjoying reminiscing about the good times I had,while reading this book. :D

[dw876]

It is amazing the power reading has. It was a story you read as a child that shaped your worldview. Isn't it amazing! This is a beautiful post, Shri, and a testament to the power of the word to change a life.

[shri]

I agree with you. It is amazing how much power the written word has to shape a child's mind.

BTW, wish you a very happy [belated] happy birthday. *hugs*

If you have already moved in to the condo, e-mail me your new address and if you are still at the old place, still mail me the home addy.

[rileen]

Nice post :-)

I wonder whether Dennis was the name in Russian, or changed in translation.

[shri]

Thanks, Rileen. :)

I think it was the name in Russian, too, I just checked. Yup, I still have that book. :D

[rileen]

Eh? You mean you have the book in Russian?

[shri]

:-P

No, silly, but on the inside of the book cover, there is something written in Russian, which when translated with the help of Babelfish translates into something like - Victor Dragunsky (author) of 'Dennis, the stories'. So, yeah, most probably, the name of the boy was Dennis in the Russian version, too.

[pghfoxfan]

I never had a pen pal as a child, but I have been blessed with an internet friend from the other side of the world in you.

[shri]

Thanks, Sheila. Glad that you are my friend, too. :)

*hugs*

[aish11]

I remmber subscribing to 'Misha' & waiting for its arrival!

[shri]

:D
Those were such exciting moments!!