You are not supposed to get a book that costs more than your pocket money!” Alfred Bates, the famous detective, instructs his son Jonathan during their visit to a bookshop.

“But Dad…” Jonathan frowns. “It’s my birthday!”

“If you want to get a book that costs more, you will have to earn it,” Bates tells his son.

“How?”

“Tell me the name of the book that was written nearly 150 years ago and featured a submarine?”

“That’s a difficult question Dad,” Jon replies. “Ask a simple question.”

“20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne,” Bates replies. “It was written in 1870 and featured Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus.”

“Dad … I am just a kid!”

“In which novel did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduce Sherlock Holmes?” Bates puts his second question.

“No idea!”

“A Study in Scarlet,” Bates tells his son. “It was from this novel that Sherlock Holmes gained popularity and went on to become the most famous fictional detective of all times.”

“Dad…” Jonathan tries to convince his father. “I am just 12 years old. If you want to play fair and square, please ask an easy question!”

“Ok then … Last question,” Bates thinks before putting down his final question. “What was the name of the protagonist in Treasure Island?”

“A Protag-what???”

“A protagonist is the principal character of a movie or in this case, a book,” Bates explains to his son.

“Jim Hawkins, right?” Jonathan tells.

“Good job, son,” Bates exclaims. “Jim Hawkins was the protagonist of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel!”

“He was?” Jon says with surprise on his face.

“Yes,” Bates takes out money from his wallet and hands it to Jonathan. “I am glad you finally got it right. Go and get any book you like.”

“Are you sure Dad?” Jonathan puts down his question.

“Yes I am,” Bates replies. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I am going to buy Treasure Island,” Jon confides in his father.

“But I thought you had read it,” Bates questions his son’s decision.

“No I didn’t,” Jon clarifies. “I had read the name of the prota, prota …”

“Protagonist …”

“Yes, that… Just before you had questioned me,” Jon says.

“It’s a good thing you did,” Bates tells the birthday boy. “You can buy this book.”

The sales person at the bookshop approaches Alfred Bates as soon as Jon wanders to the shop. “Sir, why didn’t you punish your son for cheating?” he asks.

“That’s not cheating, my friend,” Bates replies. “My questions made my son check out books, which made me happy!”

“Why did it make you happy, sir?” the salesman asks.

“Wouldn’t you be happy if your son bought your favourite book on his birthday, and you had something to do with it?” Bates concludes the discussion.