The Altruistic Experiment: Leaving a Book for a Stranger

Introduction

Have you ever considered the impact of simply leaving a book on a bus or in a coffee shop with a note explaining why it's so wonderful? This article delves into real-world scenarios and potential outcomes of such an act, reflecting on a book-sharing challenge I participated in. Let's explore the stories and experiences that come with this unique and often surprising endeavor.

What Would Happen?

Leaving a favorite book with a note inside can lead to various outcomes. Here’s a breakdown of what might happen based on a survey of ten random respondents:

One might throw it in a trash can without looking into the book. One might throw it in a trash can after briefly going into it. One might throw it in a trash can after using its papers for some purpose. One might deposit it in Lost and Found. One might report it to the FBI. One might take it home and leave it unread. One might take it home and read it. One might take it home, read it, and share it with others. One might take it home, read it, and publish a note on Facebook to locate its owner. One might report it to a school for donation.

Seeing the variety in human reactions is both intriguing and enlightening. There are all sorts of people, each with their own unique response.

An Unpredictable Journey

Even if I purchased a brand new copy of the book, there's no guarantee that anyone else would end up with it or that they would read it. The book could fall into a crack on the floor, or it could be found by someone and tossed in a trash can. Alternatively, it could end up in a book sale many years later. And there's no way to ensure that if someone does read the book, they will like it and make an effort to contact me.

While the chances of finding a new owner might be slim, there is a possibility that something wonderful could happen for the person who finds the book. Once in a while, a stranger might pick it up and, inspired by the note, read the book. It might even become an emotional event in their life.

A Personal Experience

Last year, I participated in a challenge that involved leaving a book with a note. The note said something along the lines of, 'the book is intentionally left for the finder and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.' The hardest part of the challenge was finding a way to leave the book behind without being noticed, especially since I am quite shy.

I initially decided to leave the book in a coffee shop. However, due to my fear of being chased down the street by someone wanting to return the book to me, I ended up choosing a more discreet location—the toilet. However, I still don’t know what happened to the book after I left. I had to leave my Facebook account because it felt too crowded and filled with too many notifications.

Conclusion

Though the act of leaving a book for a stranger is risky, it can lead to unexpected and wonderful outcomes. It’s a testament to the power of human kindness and the potential for books to connect us in unexpected ways. Next time you’re tempted to leave a book with a note, remember that you're participating in an altruistic act that could change someone's life.