This is a short and simple story of a boy called Sam.
Here is what he wrote about himself,
It has a mellow feeling to it and has a somber tone. Even though the characters are speaking about lively scenarios, the setting adds a touch of sadness and innocence to it.
It shows the world through the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy, who yet has not even understood living, but now has to deal with the concept of death, while inevitably accepting its reality.
So the whole story is a boy’s quest to understand life, to dream about what it may be like to be an adult, to try all those things which he wants to do when he grows up, question why grownups do what they do And can we live on forever?
Ways to live forever by Sally Nicholls
When I first read this book I was probably 14 or 15, the age group to which the book belongs is 8-14.
When I first read it, I felt deep pain about the state of the boy, who will never realize his dreams ever, forget about realization, but think about the chance of dreaming first. Of forming opinions, of developing likes and dislikes, of growing through the amazing little things which we experience before we grow up.
Zeal, chaos, and the beauty of it. Memories for a lifetime.
Sam mentions of being happy to be have saved from the dread of puberty, no pimples, no measles, and therefore no embarrassment in school, which he yet has to experience. Thinks about having a prom night and plans on doing things that he yet does not even desire fully but merely is imitating what grown-ups do, because that’s how he thinks he can have a peek at the future.
A child questioning, life, death, afterlife, growing up, choices we make, and the choices we don’t through the unaltered eyes of innocence and honesty. With a curiosity about the world as a whole, skies, stars, aliens, magic, and whatnot. Which we might have forgotten by now, with the enthusiasm which we cannot summon now, and instead of seeking and welcoming adventure all we seek now are excuses.
What is the takeaway here?
It’s simple, think about the simple yet profound opportunity which life has given to us, the opportunity to live and grow.
What was natural to us, like puberty, is not even real for millions of children around the world.
We have been given the ultimate opportunity of life, so instead of finding excuses why don’t we find solutions, instead of crying over our ill-fate, why shouldn’t we work in the direction of our dreams optimistically?
The things which we take for granted, our likes and dislikes, which we have formed over the course of our life, is a boon which many are not bestowed, knowing what you like and what you don’t is a power you can use, to focus only on the most essential things in life, to have an opinion, is a miracle of experience.
To experience is to be alive. And if you are alive, then why aren’t you busy living. Living life to the fullest, experiencing all that you can in this beautiful world of ours, being enthusiastic about it, being excited at the thought of creating something incredible, excited about the possibility of magic that every new day brings us, why waste time over crying and worrying about things which will be a thing of the past in a moment?
When you finish reading this book, I am sure you will remember long-lost hobbies of yours, long lost quests which you wanted to undertake once you grew up (side note: You are a grown up now, it’s time to start.).
Long lost feverish love which you had for living and the optimism with which you believed in the fountain of youth. From being on a search as Sindbad the sailor, dreaming of cruising the ship of your life through the most thunderous of the storms, mightiest of the waves because you believed in your spirit as the captain.
This book wants you to have it back, through this simple yet profound tale of a boy, who wants to live on forever. Through the memories he makes, the lives he touches, the things he creates, and the dreams which he leaves behind.
Finally, who should read this book?
1. Children definitely.
2. Adults who won’t mind reading a short yet comforting story, which is meaningful at all age bars.
And finally whoever wants the answer to this question,
Readers from India can purchase this book by clicking here.
Others can try clicking on one of the Euro stores and see if you land on your local Amazon store to purchase.
Conclusion
Embrace life, embrace the wonderful possibility it is. Whatever has happened in your life so far, has happened, forget about it and start thinking about a new beginning. Be positive about it, be ready to work for it, and most importantly never cease dreaming, dream like a child, who always believes in the beauty of her dreams.
Life is the biggest opportunity which anyone of us can ever have, an adventure like no other, fear not, there is only hope, it’s a big bright wondrous place and all you have to do is search.
