An observer describes seeing multiple people reading while walking in Curitiba, Brazil, noting both a student and an elderly man deeply engaged in their books.
In Curitiba, Brazil, the author shares a surprising observation of witnessing three different individuals reading while walking within the span of a month—an event they claim to have never seen before. The first individual was a teenager, seemingly focused on a book that might be for school, illustrating a mix of necessity and functionality in his reading. This encounter highlights the sometimes desperate need to balance education with daily commutes.
The second person observed was an elderly man, fully absorbed in his reading to the extent that he appeared oblivious to his surroundings. The author notes this gentleman's delight in reading, describing how not even falling trees could interrupt his engagement with the text. This encounter exemplifies the joy that reading can bring and how it allows individuals to escape from reality.
These observations may suggest a cultural shift where reading in public has become a less common practice, reflecting broader societal trends toward digital consumption. The author's astonishment at witnessing these scenes emphasizes the rarity of readers in motion in today's fast-paced world, reminding us of the simple joy that can be found in literature, whether stationary or moving.
