Airport fog means chickens suspended | Letters

Re Brian O'Donovan's letter (8 August): 25 years ago I lived in a mixed English-Asian community. My immediate neighbours were Pakistanis and the head of the household had little English but I eventually understood his father was ill and allowed him to use my phone to talk to his family. Days later it became clear that his father's condition was serious and later that he had died. Khalid was in tears. All he wanted was a shoulder to weep on. At that moment, with little language in common, all he needed was my shoulder and arms around him. That was the start of our friendship.
David Evans
Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire

" Paul Mason reports research on how digital publishing is changing the way we read (G2, 10 August). Digital media (books and music) are also denying us the opportunity to read each other. Time was when bookshelves and vinyl collections, shelved in a new acquaintance's home, provided real insight into personal history and aspirations. I'm not sure anything has replaced that.
Michael Loftus
Kidderminster, Worcestershire