Before the advent of computers, libraries relied on book borrowing cards to track who borrowed which books. It was a simple yet effective system, ensuring books were returned on time and that readers could find the stories they sought.
For Tan Kok Leong, this system became a cherished part of his childhood memories, but he never could have imagined that a book he borrowed decades ago would come full circle in such a heartwarming way.
Photo via Facebook (Jacky Tan Kok Leong)
In a recent post, Tan shared an incredible moment of nostalgia. Back in 1991, when he was just 9 years old, he borrowed a particular Malay-language book from his school library.
Fast forward 34 years, and his daughter, now attending the same school, borrowed the very same book, “My two daughters are now studying at my old school, and my second daughter recently borrowed a Bahasa Malaysia book that I had borrowed when I was in Standard 3,” he wrote.
Tan, clearly taken aback by the coincidence, also shared a photo of the book’s library loan slip. The slip showed his name and the date, May 15, 1991, confirming that this was indeed the same book he had borrowed as a child.
He added, “What’s amazing is that, after 34 years, this book has somehow found its way back to me. It’s such an incredible connection, and I’m definitely going to read it again.”
Tan’s post sparked an outpouring of comments from netizens, who were just as fascinated by the story as he was, “Your old school’s students must really take good care of the books,” one commenter remarked.
Another wondered, “How has that book survived 34 years without falling apart? It’s been passed from one student to the next. Has it been patched up, or is it finally showing signs of wear and tear?”
我家两位女儿在我母校就读并且我二女儿无意间借了本我小学三年级时所借过的国语书籍，这么巧妙的是时隔34年这本书还是落在我手里。奇妙的缘份我会好好的珍惜和再次阅读这本书。
Posted by Jacky Tan Kok Leong on Tuesday 14 January 2025
Tan’s experience is a touching reminder of how something as simple as a borrowed book can create lasting connections across time and generations. It’s moments like these that make us appreciate the small, meaningful links that bind us to our past.
