Appu World Library
One Sunday evening, I found myself at Appu World Library, a little treasure trove in Hyderabad dedicated entirely to children's books and toys.
I conducted a storytelling session on my book The Myth of the Wild Gaur, bringing along a range of images to help our young nature enthusiasts imagine and connect better. As I spoke about Kodaikanal, the princess of hills, the children could see it unfold before them.
But the real magic happened when we shifted focus to Hyderabad. I asked our explorers to think about environmental issues in their own neighborhoods, and what followed was a moment of quiet thoughtfulness. They did not just mention broad topics like pollution or deforestation—they reflected on the changes happening around them. It was incredible to see them think so deeply about the places they call home.
And then, something unexpected made the evening even more special. I met a family from Kodaikanal, and for a little while, we stood together, wrapped in shared memories of the mountains. There was nostalgia in our words, but also an unspoken love for the place we still carried with us.
It was an evening of stories—ones I told, ones the children discovered, and ones that found me when I least expected it. A Sunday evening well spent.
