Ruskin Bond Short stories summary

Indian author Ruskin Bond is of British descent. His children's short tales are his most well-known works, though he writes in many genres. More than 40 children's books and more than 500 short pieces, including essays and novellas, have been written by him.

Most of Bond's children's books are written in the first person, and his prose is known for being straightforward and simple. Most often, they depict ordinary people going about their daily lives and the interaction between humans and the environment.

Author Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond is a writer whose works have garnered admiration from readers of all ages for their particular genres. The talented author elevates everyday experiences into unforgettable recollections depicting every situation precisely. Ruskin Bond has a positive, kind, and yet motivating appearance.

Short Stories Summary

1. The Blue Umbrella

One of Ruskin Bond's best-known books is The Blue Umbrella. Vishal Bhardwaj's cinematic adaptation of the book led to the movie's 2006 National Film Award victory for Best Children's Film. The narrative, set in a Himachal Pradesh village, centers on a small country girl named Binya who receives a blue umbrella from some visitors in return for her lucky charm leopard claw pendant.

Her umbrella becomes highly well-liked in the community, to the point that a shopkeeper gets fascinated with getting one and offers to buy it from the girl, only to be refused away. Various things happen after that, and Binya finally gives the shopkeeper the umbrella. The shopkeeper then gives her a necklace with a bear's claw in return.

2. The Room on the Roof

Ruskin Bond's debut book, The Room on the Roof, was created when he was seventeen. The orphaned Anglo-Indian youngster Rusty, who lives with his guardians in Dehradun, is the plot's focus in this early work by Ruskin Bond. His guardian forbids him from associating with Indians. After being punished for visiting the bazaar, Rusty escapes one day and starts a new life with the help of numerous companions he created there.

Later, he accepts a job providing food and a small apartment on the roof in return for teaching English to a child by the name of Kishen. As Rusty watches people from his chamber on the roof, he falls in love with Kishen's mother, and as the tale goes on, he develops into a responsible adult who carves out a life for himself. The novel depicts a vivid rainbow of emotions in this way.

3. Time Stops at Shamli

Time Stops at Shamli, another well-known book by Ruskin Bond, is a compilation of various short stories. Although the stories discussed in this work have diverse fundamentals, they are all equally compelling. The short narrative "Time Stops at Shamli," included in the book, is based on a little town named Shamli, where the train from Delhi to Dehradun stops for just five minutes.

Because of various issues with the railway lines, a train passenger interested in this location can investigate it when the train pauses at the station for a more extended period. The narrative describes the day he spends at a hotel in Shamli, getting along with the familiar and unfamiliar individuals he encounters, and the town's lasting impact on him.

4. Rusty, the Boy from the Hills

From early childhood through adolescence, Rusty, the lad from the Hills, a fictionalized version of James Bond, explores the lives and experiences of the curious and creative lad. In this highly successful book, Ruskin Bond seeks to recollect and depict his upbringing in the Himalayan foothills, where he spent time with his grandparents.

The adventures covered in the book range from having a pet python to avoiding enemy shelling during World War II to running into ghosts. It is one of his most well-known novels among both children and adults. The book blends odd, amusing tales that will undoubtedly cause you to reflect on your childhood experiences.

5. A Flight of Pigeons

A Flight of Pigeons, one of Ruskin Bond's most well-known novels, occurs during the 1857 revolt. Ruth Labadoor is the main character of the novel, and the rebels who had determined to destroy all of the British residents of the town kill her father in front of her.

Ruth and her mother manage to get away and seek refuge in the home of their servant, but a renowned Pathan finds them and takes them to his own home. In contrast to their expectations, they get good treatment while staying there. Despite a series of unfortunate incidents, they could safely reconnect with their families when the British took over and ended the uprising. The 1979 movie Junoon, starring Shashi Kapoor, Nafisa Ali, Naseeruddin Shah, and Shabana Azmi, was made from this touching Bond book by Shyam Benegal.

6. Delhi Is Not Far

Delhi Is Not Far, which centers on the lives of many lower-middle-class residents of the little town of Pipalnagar, is described by the author in the introduction. The novel features a variety of people, including a writer, a barber, an orphan, an adolescent, etc., all wishing to succeed by relocating to Delhi. However, they ultimately need help to travel to Delhi due to various financial factors. The challenges middle-class individuals face are discussed in this book as their reliance on others around them.

7. Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra

The author recounts his infancy to maturity in short tales titled Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra. The collection of short tales, which is among Ruskin Bond's most well-known works, takes us on a journey across Mussoorie's hills alongside the young author. We find out about his friends, family, and other significant people in his life along the road. Reading this short story collection, we may see India through this brilliant author's eyes.

8. The Thief

The story's narrator, a 15-year-old thief, meets Arun by chance while watching a wrestling event. He begins to live and work for Arun at his home, where Arun teaches him how to read and write in exchange for his help. He robs Arun one day and attempts to go, but his guilt forces him to return to the house. It is a narrative about trust and forgiveness that demonstrates the impact of love and compassion on the people we encounter daily and the larger community.

9. The Cherry Tree

In the Mussoorie garden of his grandpa, a small kid named Rakesh plants a seed but promptly forgets about it. The seed grows into a twig after a year, and the author then describes how the youngster continues to care for the tree as it progresses through its many phases of growth with the help of his grandfather.

10. Ghost Trouble

A mischievous pret (ghost) dwells in a tiny boy's house when its home, a peepal tree, is taken down. The spirit becomes friendly with the youngster and pulls various practical jokes on others. The boy's family eventually realizes that the pret doesn't mean any harm and adjusts to living with it. We can learn a lot from the narrative about the adverse effects of cutting down trees for development.

11. Cricket for the Crocodile

The humorous story revolves around a cricket match between urban and rural youths on a riverbank, with a few amusing adult characters thrown in for good measure. The crocodile, who resides in the river, is frequently irritated by the lads playing in its area of responsibility. When the crocodile joins the celebration, the narrative becomes interesting. The tale teaches us a valuable lesson about living in harmony with animals.

12. Dust on the Mountain

He works for a living to help his family; Bisnu, a young man from a modest village, travels from town to town. Along the way, he makes some great colleagues; however, he must also face the unpleasant realities of life. Like most of Bond's tales, the tale emphasizes protecting the environment. It also emphasizes kids' loneliness when separated from their loved ones and natural environment.

13. The Tiger in the Tunnel

Baldeo, a railway watchman, confronts a tiger alone. The tale emphasizes the value of safeguarding and providing for your family and is both depressing and consoling. It also emphasizes how life on earth continues despite death and the inevitable cycle of life and death. Tembu, Baldeo's son, is a likable character who inspires readers with optimism.

14. The Woman on Platform 8

Arun, a 12-year-old schoolboy, narrates The Woman on Platform 8 in the first person, a sweet short story. Arun recounts how a kind woman once provided him with tea and pastries while waiting for a train. He develops a close relationship with the woman who looks after him, like his mother. At the station, he also runs across Satish, a classmate, and Satish's mother, an intimidating woman wary of strangers. We may learn about compassion, maternal love, and devotion from the narrative.

15. When Darkness Falls

War veteran Markham relies only on his pension. Because of circumstances beyond his control, he is imprisoned in a small room alone, without family or friends, and is regarded as an outcast. Through this narrative, Bond aims to draw attention to and educate the public about the situation of individuals like Markham. It is a heartwarming tale that might aid kids in growing empathy for others.

16. Death of the Trees

In the short tale Death of the Trees, Ruskin Bond conveys his profound sadness over removing the Mussoorie trees to which he had an emotional connection. He compares the suffering he felt when the trees were cut down to the suffering he felt when his brother died in a car accident in the narrative. The narrative teaches us the value of protecting the environment.

17. The Hidden Pool

Laurie, an English child, Anil, the son of a local textile trader, and Kamal, an orphan, are three friends in The Hidden Pool. One day, they decide to go hiking to the Pindari Glacier after spending several days swimming in a hidden pool that Laurie discovers on a mountainside. A fascinating universe is revealed due to this adventure, and we meet enchanting and charming individuals. Your youngster will be delighted by this tale of adventure and friendship.

Conclusion

Ruskin Bond, who received the Padma Bhushan award, is the author of several excellent short tales, novels, and autobiographical works that have captivated readers of all ages. Throughout his six-decade creative career, he has become famous for his children's books and his love of nature, particularly India and the mountains.