India, Feb. 9 -- Each one of us lives through stories in life. What is each incident, each event, if not a story in itself? And, when there are stories, then there is an urge to narrate, and an urge to be heard. It could be the silent wail of desperation seeking help; or it could be the desire to be appreciated, to be accepted.

The Internet is an interesting place to be at. However, if someone had told me even at the turn of the century the remarkable changes that this virtual entity would bring into our lives, I would have laughed. My story is not about the internet though; but the way it has helped us cope.

I read somewhere on the virtual world recently that there are libraries in Denmark, and in 50-odd other countries, where you rent...