Who says libraries need walls? Sururi and Luna ride through villages delivering books, inspiring kids, and sparking a love of reading.
In the quiet rural hills of Central Java, Indonesia, something magical happens a few days each week: a horse trots into a village carrying not hay, not crops, but books. This is the story of Ridwan “Ruri” Sururi and his beloved mare Luna, a duo on a delightful mission to bring the joy of reading directly to children and adults alike, all without a traditional library in sight.
It’s the kind of story that sounds like it belongs in a children’s book about kindness, except it’s absolutely real, completely grassroots, and happening right now.
From Stable Groomer to “Horse Librarian”
Ridwan Sururi, known as Ruri to friends and neighbours, didn’t set out to make headlines or become a local legend. He’s a professional horse caretaker who lives in a cluster of villages in the Purbalingga region of Java. But like any great story, inspiration hit in a humble moment: a friend suggested he and his horses could do good in the community.
That seed of an idea quickly blossomed into something much bigger: a mobile library. But not on wheels. On four hooves. Ruri paired up with a gentle mare named Luna and set off to create what locals now fondly call the “horse library.”
At first glance, it seems quirky. But in a place where traditional libraries are almost non‑existent, and books are hard to come by, clever solutions like this make a tremendous difference.
Why Books on a Horse?
You might wonder why anyone would hitch a library to a horse. The simple answer? Accessibility, and a touch of charm. Ridwan realized that for children in remote villages, books are often miles away in big cities, and parents don’t always have time to travel just to borrow a book. So he brought the books to them.
But there’s a bonus twist: Luna herself is part of the appeal. Children sprint across rice fields and dirt roads yelling, “The horse library is here!”
And it works. Ruri loads Luna up with wooden boxes full of donated books, everything from picture books to young adult titles, and even a few English classics, and rides toward village schools and meeting points three times a week.
A Library with Hooves and Heart
When Luna arrives, the scene is pure joy. Children dash over, their eyes wide with excitement, eager to browse and borrow stories. Some pet Luna gently before flipping through picture books; others already have a favorite author in mind and can’t wait to dive in.
But it’s not just kids. Adults stop their work under the shade of palm trees or rice barns to see what’s on offer. In villages where literacy rates have improved nationally but pockets of illiteracy still exist locally, this mobile library provides an invaluable bridge to knowledge.
A Community That Reads Together
It’s one thing to deliver books. It’s another to spark a community’s love for reading. In Serang and surrounding villages, Sururi’s visits have become weekly highlights. Kids form queues. Parents shuffle over, ever curious. Older students help younger ones sound out tricky words.
Reading becomes a group activity, almost like a mini festival of pages and imagination. Bodies gather under trees or against the steps of a mosque, and soon you can hear the low hum of voices sharing stories with friends.
More Than Just Books
When you step back and look at what Sururi and Luna are doing, it’s clear this is about more than boosting literacy rates, although that’s a very noble goal. It’s also about bringing communities together, creating joy, and reminding everyone that learning doesn’t have to start and stop at school walls, and that it’s available to everyone.
Their horse library reminds us that sometimes the best solutions are the ones that are as creative as they are heartfelt. A stack of donated books and a reliable mare might not sound like much in modern cities, but in rural Central Java, they’re opening doors to imagination and possibility.
A Legend and His Horse
Ridwan is making an effort, a visit at a time, to kids and adults across his village and their neighbors. He’s putting in the hours, getting Luna ready, caring for her, and taking her across the Indonesian landscape to deliver stories, adventures, and the written word to people who would otherwise go without.
A man on a mission to bring literacy to as many people as possible, he stands as a true Protector of the Written Word. His story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading.
The book is a collection of inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. To read more about his story and discover others fighting the good fight to advance literacy and education, you can order your copy of Protectors of the Written Word here.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
