As Diwali approaches, homes fill with the fragrance of sweets, the sparkle of diyas, and the warmth of giving. Wrapped boxes pile up — candles, décor, chocolates — all symbols of love and celebration.

Gifting is an inseparable part of Diwali, and indeed of every festival. For children, these gifts are not just presents — they are memories wrapped in love. I still remember who gifted me what when I was a child, and with each memory, the face of that person returns to my heart.

So what truly stays in a child’s heart — the sweetness of a treat, the scent of a candle, or the glow of a memory?

Sweets melt, candles fade, but stories live forever. So why not gift something that lasts beyond the moment — a book.

The Timeless Power of Stories

From the beginning of humanity, stories have been our greatest teachers — from cave paintings and handwritten manuscripts to movies, dramas, printed books, and now digital platforms. Stories are everywhere.

Children must be taught the importance of stories — the art of storytelling and the art of learning from them. Stories shape a child’s imagination, morals, and understanding of life.

When Books Became Everyone’s Treasure

Before the 1400s, books were handwritten manuscripts — copied patiently by scribes on parchment or palm leaves. They were rare, expensive, and usually owned only by monks, scholars, or royalty.

Then came Gutenberg’s printing press in the mid-1400s — a revolution that changed the world forever.

For the first time, books became available to ordinary people. The reaction was a mix of awe, excitement, curiosity, and even fear. Until then, books had been sacred, unreachable treasures — but suddenly, knowledge was within everyone’s grasp. Reading became a new kind of power — people could learn, think, and question for themselves.

It was as if knowledge had stepped out of the monasteries and walked into the streets.

Stories in the Digital Age

Today, we are witnessing a similar revolution. Digital platforms — from OTT to social media — have placed the power of storytelling in everyone’s hands.

Platforms like StoryBerrys are doing for writers what the printing press did for readers — giving countless aspiring authors the courage and space to express themselves. It’s a welcome and empowering change.

Yet, a question often arises: Are books losing their place in this digital era?

I would say no. Just like fashion, — they evolve and return, Books would always be relevant.

What sets books apart from other media is the intimate one-to-one connection between author and reader. Books invite reflection, imagination, and depth — something fleeting digital content often lacks.

Stories are Forever

A book is not just a bundle of pages — it’s an emotion, a doorway to countless worlds, and a companion that glows brighter with time.

While candles burn out and sweets disappear, a story continues to whisper its magic long after the celebrations fade. It becomes a memory that stays — not just on a shelf, but in the heart.

This Diwali, let’s wrap more than material gifts. Let’s wrap imagination, inspiration, and love — in the form of books.

Because stories remind us who we are, and they connect us in ways that light up our souls.

So when you pick a gift this year, pick something that truly lasts. Gift a book — gift stories forever.

Rakhi Sunil Kumar
Creative Head and Editor, StoryBerrys