Lessons of Samir

"Then let's see what you learned from your reading." He said stern and annoyed. It was as if he had done it on purpose he had violently placed his book on the table and his hand was resting on it. To be an old elf he didn't look his age at all, he was agile in his movements with a build neither too thin nor fat, he wore a long silver tunic.

"Ehm ... that the first race to populate the world where the elves and then the others followed. The numerous skirmishes between elves and dwarves. The various characteristics of the peoples. The numerous useless wars of state, for power... The various kings and queens... "I replied raising my gaze towards him.

"Useless wars ???". He said disapprovingly and raised an eyebrow from under his glasses. "My girl .. this is the story of your people and the world. These texts were written to remember the past, so as not to make us repeat the same mistakes. I know that these readings do not please you, but with the time you will understand. he can learn a lot from books. Who we are, our origins and so on. Your answer is not correct. Read carefully what this book wants to tell you, ask yourself the right questions. "

I didn't even have time to tell him that he had already raised his heels to go sit in his place.

"Mmm, the right questions? What questions should I ask myself? In what sense can you learn a lot from books? I don't understand ..." I thought to myself, dismayed and amazed at the same time.

And so I started re-reading the whole text from the beginning, paying more attention. It was almost dark now and my eyes were starting to burn. And before I could retire for dinner, Samir questioned me one more time.

"The so-called skirmishes between the dwarves as you called them, why did they arise? Why was the first war useless? Do you think defending your own people is useless?" His tone was somewhat irritated.

"Mmm ... because dwarves and elves cannot be seen, it has always been like this and always will be. No, it is not useless to defend the people you love, but I think that a conflict between light elves and dark ones could have been avoided, perhaps at negotiations? " I tried to give him an answer hoping that he would take it for granted.

"Do you really think the first king didn't try? It's hard to be a leader." He continued.

"Mmmh .. well .. no ... I didn't say that... it's just ..." I stammered embarrassed.

"And what??" He pressed me.

"I find these reading useless ... the past is over now ... I'd rather spend my time with sword and magic lessons. So if a war breaks out I can defend my sister." I felt naked under his stern eyes.

"You have so many things to learn. You will see one day you will thank me. Even a simple book hides secrets and life lessons, you just have to grasp them." He answered me.

"However, the dwarves are great miners and have argued with the dark elves for jewels intended for the people of the light elves, the famous" star gems "and the nitril a vest that was worn under armour, impossible to penetrate. jewels are used by the royal majesties for marriage proposals, passing from generation to generation. The dwarves say that the elves of light have stolen their gems but it was not true, in fact, that is why they hate each other so much, but also for the surliness of the dwarves. Like us, they have a god who's name is "Durin". The language they speak is different from ours. " I continued to explain to him with more interest in what I had read.

"Well, we're roughly there. You'll see that over time you'll find these stories interesting. And maybe when you find a dwarf in front of you you'll know what it's like. Remember a good warrior isn't just magic and a sword. To face an opponent you need intellect. and cunning. " His lips touched a slight smile.

I stood looking at him for a moment. Maybe I understood what he was trying to tell me. At one point I saw that he was thinking, he went to a shelf full of books contemplating it for several minutes. I looked at him doubtfully.

"Maybe I have a book that will interest you more." It seemed that he had found what he was looking for, he took the sliding ladder and went up to the last row of books and pulled out a little book of at least 200 pages. I could have considered myself lucky since the other books had 2000 pages. She got out with ease and handed me the book.

"Lethis and Theoin" I read the title of the book aloud, not understanding.

"Trust me you'll like it. Anyway, it's late, I'm retiring for dinner. If you want you can stay in the library as long as you want. Good night." He walked towards the exit while I looked at him dumbfounded not understanding the reason for all this.

My curiosity led me to start reading the first pages and then I would have gone too or at least, so I thought. The more I went on with the story became more compelling, I was hungry for reading and so it was that I didn't have dinner for that evening. Around three in the morning, I saw Amdir enter the library. He was carrying a plate with bread, tomatoes and a cup of hot milk with biscuits in it.

He sat down in front of me and put the tray on the table. It was then that my stomach started rumbling and I turned red with shame.

"You are always the same you will never change. Quiet I knew you were hungry and I brought you this wonderful gift." He was laughing out loud.

"Tze ... thanks .." I mumbled.