my good deed for the day…er, month
Posted on | December 20, 2003 |
Today, I did my regular glancing through the classics section of the used bookstore, looking for the ever elusive copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. Mind you, I am not looking for any copy, but an old, hardback copy. However, my quest is not the point of this diatribe.
Soon after I entered the store and found my way to the classics section, the small area was crowded with a young female co-ed and the saleslady helping her find famous books of literature. Among the selections she sought was Beowulf, about which she knew nothing. (Sidenote: Is it actually possible to get through high school without reading Beowulf? Apparently, it is.) The saleslady could not find it. As my space was much crowded at this point, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop. I suggested that any English lit anthology would have it. Sure enough, after the saleslady had given up, unwilling to heed my advice, I pulled out a volume of Northern English lit; and there it was. The girl was not convinced, however. She didn’t want an entire volume. I haughtily thought to myself that reading a good collection of lit would do her much good, but I kept that to myself.
She wandered off. I continued browsing through the Austens, reading the end of Mansfield Park, sipping on my coffee, and convincing myself I really didn’t need anymore books. Then, there it was — a thin, almost anorexic copy of Beowulf. I looked for the co-ed. No luck. But as I walked to the door to exit, she once again appeared. I got the copy and handed it to her. Her response? ‘You are, like, my favorite person today.’
Comments
7 Responses to “my good deed for the day…er, month”
December 21st, 2003 @ 6:27 pm
What a kind soul you are.
I have never read Beaowouldjsoiujf. I can’t even spell it (as you can see, I gave up).
December 21st, 2003 @ 7:20 pm
Wow, and here I thought it was a prerequisite to graduate from high school.
December 22nd, 2003 @ 9:16 am
I didn’t read it till my Lord of the Rings class last semester.
But then, I didn’t graduate from high school.
December 22nd, 2003 @ 10:39 am
Wait…hold on. There’s an actual Lord of the Rings class at USD?
December 22nd, 2003 @ 11:06 pm
It was an Honors seminar, taught by Dr. Leibiger of ID Weeks. It’s offered again this spring.
December 22nd, 2003 @ 11:18 pm
Well, will wonders ever cease?
December 23rd, 2003 @ 9:27 am
LOL!
Beowulf in somewhat antiquated English was part of my British Literature class in high school. It should be standard fare.
I like your site!!! Awesome holiday look!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday full of cheer and all the things that make you happiest!