According to his autobiography, he learned to read by hearing his father teach his elder brother, and with the help of an old woman was able to read quite well before his father thought of teaching him.
Menurut otobiografinya, ia belajar membaca dari memperhatikan ayahnya mengajari kakaknya, dan dengan bantuan seorang perempuan tua ia bisa membaca lebih baik sebelum ayahnya mengajarinya.