A Bone to Pick

Lesson learned . . .

I enjoy listening to books on CD or audiotape while driving, especially on long trips. Recently, I bought the audio presentation of a book I’d actually read. This may not make sense to some of you, but if I have enjoyed a book, I have no problems with it. However, there were times during the trip that I thought I’d goofed up and missed a CD.

The last CD ended as I drove up to my destination. I sat in the car wondering what happened to the parts of the story I’d read, but not heard, and then it hit me.

Digging out the CD’s box, I checked the front with the title, the author, and the reader.

When I flipped the box over, I found what I was looking for: “THIS ABRIDGMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE AUTHOR.” Should I have paid more attention? I suppose so, but I’ve always seen the word “Abridged” on the front of the box.

I guess what bothered me most was that I thought their abridgment cut out stuff that was important to the storyline—important enough that I remembered it very clearly. I’ve learned a lesson, maybe two.

By Nancy Jelinek
Broadening Horizons Blog