When you realize your mistake then the punishment is to be pardoned. But it is always the learning for the people, from the mistakes of the others, which is different in case of children. When we say to our kids, “don’t do this, it is something bad,” we get a quick reply. I asked my nephew not to keep the book of his school library for an overdue period to which he replied, “Why if I forget then I am committing a mistake and when a noted personality does it, it becomes news”. This statement made me quiet and the inspiration to pen this article came in.
A book titles ‘The Law of Nations’ was borrowed by the first President of America George Washington on Oct 5, 1789, from the New York Society Library authored by Emer de Vattel.
The whole of the episode came to light when the officials of the library were restoring its 1789-1792 charging ledger. This ledger featured the borrowing history of a number of public figures and
The news spread to Mount Vernon Estate, Washington’s home and the replica of the book was offered by the estate that too of the same edition. The library staff is glad to receive the book back even after a span of 221 years and still the book is in a good condition to be place on the shelves of the library.
On the eve of receiving of the errant volume the library staff organized a ceremony where chairman of the board Mr. Charles Berry said, “I hereby absolve George Washington and his representatives for any overdue library fee incurred”. He further said, “We are delighted to learn that the errant copy was on the way back to it’s shelf even after 221 years and the fine is not important the having the book back”.
When the calculation regarding the due were made the library staff was astonished at the amount which came to be US$ 300,000 (Rs. 1,50,00,000).
“The first President of America George Washington might have forgotten to return the book as he was a busy man,” I said to my nephew. He agreed to the statement but what should I say to his comment that mistake is a mistake then why the library has waived the late fine? By Nadeem Naqvi
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