Reclusive author Harper Lee made an appearance at a high school production of a play based on her classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. She even met with students afterwards to discuss the book.
The production brought together about 60 students from nearly all-white Mountain Brook High and all-black Fairfield High Preparatory School.
The 80-year-old Lee was invited as a special guest to be honored by education and arts officials. Famous for prizing her privacy, she rarely speaks to reporters, though she does occasionally meet with students.
The author has not published another book since "Mockingbird," which remains a best-seller even decades after its publication in 1960.
After the performance, Al Head, executive director of the Alabama State Council of the Arts, presented Lee with a piece of pottery made by Alabama artist Larry Allen and titled "Unity Vessel."
Lee held the piece up toward the cast and crew, who stood behind her onstage, and waved to the audience, which gave a standing ovation. Lee did not address the crowd, but later talked to students at a private reception.
We have to wonder: has Harper Lee really stopped writing? Or does she have a drawer full of manuscripts just waiting to be published one day?
