013. Books
"Elphie, why do you like to read?" Galinda was sitting on her bed staring as Elphaba turned the pages of her current book.
"Because I enjoy it, Galinda."
"But why? It can't be that exciting, looking at words on a page."
"There's more to reading than words on a page, Miss Galinda." Elphaba put her book carefully to one side. "There's a story to be told, a moral to learn. New character's to laugh or cry with. Characters who are wicked and you hate them because you are meant to. Then you learn the other side of the story and you realise that appearances are deceiving. When I read, Galinda, I lose myself in the tale and can pretend for a few hours that I am not who I am."
Galinda looked confused and made to speak. Elphaba cut her off, flipping her book to the right page and taking a small bite of the apple she held in her other hand.
"That is why I like to read."