On the recent St. Patrick’s Day, the sun warmed the winter ground as the brown grass started to turn green.
It reminded me of the centuries-old love of literature and poetry and books. In Armagh, Ireland, above the door of the 1771 library, an inscription reads “The healing place of the soul.”
Books are what make us human.
They broaden our outlook. They teach us to be citizens of the world.
The Irish know the importance of storytelling. It is how traditions and history are passed to the next generation.
Books challenge our mind and allow us to mature from children to educated adults.
The parents who are yelling at school boards and librarians just don’t get it.
What are they afraid of?
It is a small step from banning books to burning books.
Haven’t they learned anything from history?
Then again, maybe they never read any books.
Howard Bronder
Natrona Heights