<p class="bodytext">Growing up, I was fortunate to be introduced to numerous English literary classics that left a lasting impression on me. These stories, deeply rooted in timeless values and human resilience, enriched my school and college years. After retiring, I felt a strong urge to revisit these masterpieces, hoping to rediscover the wisdom they once offered me.</p>.<p class="bodytext">I began with Ernest Hemingway’s <span class="italic">The Old Man and the Sea</span>, Viktor Frankl’s <span class="italic">Man’s Search for Meaning</span>, and Mitch Albom’s <span class="italic">Tuesdays with Morrie</span>—books that had a profound influence on me during my formative years.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic">The Old Man and the Sea</span> is a powerful tale of endurance and hope. It narrates the struggle of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman who hasn’t caught a fish for 84 days. His young apprentice, Manolin, is forced by his parents to leave Santiago and join a more successful fisherman. Despite this, the boy remains loyal and supportive. On the eighty-fifth day, Santiago finally hooks a giant marlin, setting off an intense battle between man and nature. The fish drags his boat far into the sea, and after two gruelling days, Santiago succeeds in killing and securing the marlin. However, as he returns to shore, sharks drawn by the scent attack the marlin, leaving behind only its skeleton. Though he returns with nothing tangible, Santiago’s spirit remains unbroken. Hemingway’s tale is a moving tribute to human perseverance, the beauty of solitary struggle, and the unyielding courage that defines the human spirit.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Next was <span class="italic">Man’s Search for Meaning</span>. The book is a gripping and inspiring account of Frankl’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Despite enduring immense suffering, he developed a life philosophy centred around the pursuit of meaning. Frankl argues that even in the direst of circumstances, humans possess the freedom to choose their attitude. This inner choice, he claims, is key to psychological survival. Frankl’s famous quote, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances,” encapsulates his message. His insights into human resilience, dignity, and the importance of meaning offer a powerful guide for navigating suffering and finding purpose.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic">Tuesdays with Morrie</span> captures the heartfelt conversations between the author and his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is dying of ALS. As they meet every Tuesday, Morrie shares life lessons on love, work, family, ageing, and death. Structured around these weekly meetings, the book is a beautiful meditation on what truly matters in life. Morrie’s wisdom, kindness, and acceptance of his mortality leave a profound impact, making the memoir both touching and transformative.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Revisiting these timeless works has not only rekindled old memories but also deepened my understanding of life’s challenges and the enduring power of the human spirit. These classics continue to resonate with me, offering guidance and inspiration even today.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Growing up, I was fortunate to be introduced to numerous English literary classics that left a lasting impression on me. These stories, deeply rooted in timeless values and human resilience, enriched my school and college years. After retiring, I felt a strong urge to revisit these masterpieces, hoping to rediscover the wisdom they once offered me.</p>.<p class="bodytext">I began with Ernest Hemingway’s <span class="italic">The Old Man and the Sea</span>, Viktor Frankl’s <span class="italic">Man’s Search for Meaning</span>, and Mitch Albom’s <span class="italic">Tuesdays with Morrie</span>—books that had a profound influence on me during my formative years.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic">The Old Man and the Sea</span> is a powerful tale of endurance and hope. It narrates the struggle of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman who hasn’t caught a fish for 84 days. His young apprentice, Manolin, is forced by his parents to leave Santiago and join a more successful fisherman. Despite this, the boy remains loyal and supportive. On the eighty-fifth day, Santiago finally hooks a giant marlin, setting off an intense battle between man and nature. The fish drags his boat far into the sea, and after two gruelling days, Santiago succeeds in killing and securing the marlin. However, as he returns to shore, sharks drawn by the scent attack the marlin, leaving behind only its skeleton. Though he returns with nothing tangible, Santiago’s spirit remains unbroken. Hemingway’s tale is a moving tribute to human perseverance, the beauty of solitary struggle, and the unyielding courage that defines the human spirit.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Next was <span class="italic">Man’s Search for Meaning</span>. The book is a gripping and inspiring account of Frankl’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Despite enduring immense suffering, he developed a life philosophy centred around the pursuit of meaning. Frankl argues that even in the direst of circumstances, humans possess the freedom to choose their attitude. This inner choice, he claims, is key to psychological survival. Frankl’s famous quote, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances,” encapsulates his message. His insights into human resilience, dignity, and the importance of meaning offer a powerful guide for navigating suffering and finding purpose.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic">Tuesdays with Morrie</span> captures the heartfelt conversations between the author and his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is dying of ALS. As they meet every Tuesday, Morrie shares life lessons on love, work, family, ageing, and death. Structured around these weekly meetings, the book is a beautiful meditation on what truly matters in life. Morrie’s wisdom, kindness, and acceptance of his mortality leave a profound impact, making the memoir both touching and transformative.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Revisiting these timeless works has not only rekindled old memories but also deepened my understanding of life’s challenges and the enduring power of the human spirit. These classics continue to resonate with me, offering guidance and inspiration even today.</p>