Special Readers

QTO - In the midst of a life that is changing every day, when many people are caught up in countless digital conveniences, there are still values ​​that are quietly preserved by ordinary people. At the Provincial Library, the image of a thin, gray-haired old man with a prosthetic wooden leg regularly cycling to borrow books every month has become familiar over the past 15 years. That is Mr. Truong Van Tuan, a former special forces soldier with war wounds but never lost his passion for reading. For him, going to the library is not just a habit but a part of life.

Every month, exactly once, Mr. Tuan rides his old bicycle, following the familiar route to the Provincial Library. His legs are no longer healthy and intact, but each turn of the bike is still full of determination like when he was young and had to overcome bombs and bullets. His hair is gray, his figure is thin, but his eyes always shine with excitement like a young person discovering a treasure trove of knowledge for the first time. Each time he comes, he borrows about 10 books, mainly books about the resistance war, the history of his homeland and country.

“Mr. Tuan is our most special reader. For more than 15 years, he has come every month, borrowed about 10 books and always returned them on time, never late once,” Ms. Hoang Le Nga, an officer of the Reader Affairs Department, Provincial Library, said with a touch of emotion.

Once a month, Mr. Truong Van Tuan regularly rides his bike to the Provincial Library to borrow books - Photo: TA

Mr. Truong Van Tuan (born in 1942), from the old Quang Nam province, currently lives in Quarter 3, Nam Dong Ha ward. At the age of 83, he is still agile, his eyes are still sharp when stopping in front of shelves of books about the resistance war and his homeland's history. The former special forces soldier has read hundreds of books and his memory is surprisingly sharp. "The most impressive thing is his memory. We give him books, he only needs to look at the cover to remember which books he has read and which ones he has not. He reads books about war, about heroic martyrs very carefully, as if he is rediscovering his own life, rediscovering his old comrades. His spirit and discipline when reading books make us extremely appreciative," Ms. Nga shared.

Looking at his stooped figure next to his old bicycle, few people know that this veteran was once a special forces soldier, having gone through years of extremely arduous fighting. In a fierce battle, he was seriously injured and lost a leg. The bicycle that he still uses to go to the library every month is a special gift that the Quang Nam Provincial Military Command gave him many years ago.

The bike has faded with time, his legs are not in good condition, but his steps are always steady, as if each turn carries with it an ageless optimism. For Ms. Nga and many staff members of the Provincial Library, Mr. Tuan is not only a long-time reader but also a shining example. “Every time we see his stooped figure walking into the library, we are very moved. His love of reading inspires young people like us,” Ms. Nga shared.

The story of Mr. Tuan is more complete when mentioning his virtuous wife, a loyal female soldier, who was imprisoned for 10 years in Con Dao prison. Two lives, two fates, one belief in the revolutionary ideal. The years of war have long passed, the grandparents are in their twilight years, but the heroic memories still linger in their eyes, people who have gone through fire and bullets, have seen their comrades lying on the battlefield and now, they can relive the memories of that time through each page of a book.

“I read books to understand more about life, to feel that I am still clear-headed and still able to learn. Every month, going to the library, choosing each book, turning each page, I feel very happy. Books help me remember wartime memories, remind me to cherish what I have and feel that old age is still meaningful. For me, reading books is a simple joy, but the most important thing is to keep my spirit bright and my heart still fluttering with each word,” Mr. Tuan expressed.

In the quiet space of the Provincial Library, the image of Mr. Tuan sitting and turning the pages of a book slowly as if time had stopped for him. For more than 15 years without a month off, Mr. Tuan has become an indispensable part of the library. In him, people see the determination of a generation that has gone through war, the perseverance of an old soldier who never stops learning and the silent beauty of knowledge when cherished with sincere love.

“Looking at him, I find my work more meaningful. It is readers like him who make the library not only a place to keep books but also a place to keep beautiful stories. Mr. Tuan is not just a reader, he is a story, a lesson, a source of inspiration that the Provincial Library has been fortunate to preserve over time,” Ms. Nga added.

Peace of Mind

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202511/doc-gia-dac-biet-f5a586c/