The School. Reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird' in Russia

-This is Ubit Peresmeshnika, right? The sentimental story about some Negro accused of attacking a white girl…

-Iznasilovanie,- I said.

-Know the words, huh? I bet in that introduction to the book they do not say we did such things here?

-We did?

-Yep. How about accusing the 65- years’ old medical professor of attacking his female patients. He got 25 years of hard labor. Died there, surely. At least that Negro in the book had a lawyer. Here the lawyers actually helped the prosecution.

The old man became very angry. His voice trembled and he wiped the sweat off his face.

-Americans, they can publish such books and learn from them. Here we pretend that never happened. They do not teach such things at your school, do they?

-Never heard of that.

He made a sweeping gesture.

-Forget about it, kid. Sorry for my outburst. You be happy.

He left and took the sunshine with him.

7. Sobbing in front of the mirror

Something wasn’t right. The book did not go back to the shelf. I carried it in my school sack for a while. Then I lost it and found it again. It followed me. Something was still in the open.

I took the book and went to the school librarian.

-Why did you say to Kolya that book was not for him?-I asked.

The elderly woman took the book turned some pages, then said,

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