“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” — Galadriel
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received came from a college senior named Thippeswamy. His suggestion was simple yet profound: “Read The Lord of the Rings.”
At the time, I had only skimmed through its Wikipedia page and didn’t find it particularly compelling. Fantasy genre book were unfamiliar to me—I was already immersed in the Harry Potter series—but Tolkien’s world felt distant and dense.
During my college years, I lived away from family in a shared room with a few seniors. One of them, Madhu, had a friend named Thippeswamy who occasionally visited us. On one such visit, he noticed me reading Harry Potter. That’s when he offered his advice—not as a casual recommendation, but with genuine enthusiasm. He didn’t just say “read the book”; he painted a vivid scene from it: Gondor calling for aid by lighting the beacons across the White Mountains. That moment, described with such passion, sparked something in me. I still remember the thrill it stirred—the sense of urgency, grandeur, and hope. It lit a fire within me.
I bought the abridged version of The Lord of the Rings as soon as I could. And once I began reading, I was swept away. The experience was transformative. The depth of the world, the nobility of its characters, and the emotional weight of its journey left a lasting impression.
All thanks to Mr. Thippeswamy. I remain deeply grateful to him—not just for the advice, but for opening a door to a world that continues to inspire me to this day.
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