There happens to be some extraordinary people who astonishes everyone with their acts of kindness thereby setting an example for inspiration for others .
Similarly an incident centering around a book has caught everyone’s attention. It happened after a man returned an old book after 84 years to the library from where it was originally borrowed.
It was a completely astounding moment for Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library in Coventry, England when one day the library received a copy of Red Deer by Richard Jefferies borrowed back in 1938 by Captain William Harrison. According to a news report , Captain William Harrison had taken the book out on loan for his daughter Anne.
The book was found by Paddy Riordan, the grandson of Captain William Harrison while cleaning out his mother’s house who recently passed away. Paddy Riordan found the text, which had survived the Blitz. The book was issued officially in the year 1938 and it was expected to be returned by October 11 of that same year. Paddy also payed a late fee of $21.14 (Rs 1,740) and submitted the book to the library.
According to reports the book was issued only eight times before finally being borrowed by Captain William Harrison. He forgot to return the book and it remained as a belonging until he died in 1957.
A notice written on the front page of the book asks borrowers to return it as soon as they finish reading them, even if it is before the deadline. It reads: “Books may be retained for 14 days. it is requested, however, that, with a view to the convenience of borrowers generally, all books be returned at once when done with, although the 14 days may not have expired. For detention beyond 14 days fines will be charged as provided in the Regulations: for each week (or portion of a week) One Penny.”
Meanwhile the library was extremely shocked and surprised on seeing the old book being returned after a long haul .
The library shared about this rare incident on their instagram handle along with a few pictures. The caption read: “Here’s something you don’t see every day… a copy of Red Deer by Richard Jefferies has been returned to us—a mere 84 years and two weeks overdue! Paddy Riordan returned the book to us from his grandfather’s collection and kindly donated the fine calculated at the then rate of 1d per week, totalling £18.27 in today’s money. You can see the photograph of Paddy’s grandfather,Capt. William Harrison, in the images below. How wonderful that the book has finally made its way home!”
A similar incident was witnessed earlier in June where a person returned a book to a library in Canada which was originally borrowed 51 years ago.
