A beautiful short story collection authored by Ruskin Bond. There are thirteen stories, all are filled with train journeys. It is not only about journeys. It's all about what makes a journey for children and adults alike. Sleepy and small railway stations, tunnels, surrounding forests, small towns, people with their usual errands and an enchanting tale telling would make us linger in those places. All stories created from everyday happenings. Yet, we see something witty and life around us. Time stops at Shamili is the lengthy story comparing to other ones.
How a lone watchman who guards tunnel railway tracks amidst the dense forest is portrayed in the story of Dragon in the tunnel. Felt mesmerized and enjoined with him in his works. His salary is meagre but he does it out of love towards the work. Sometimes, wild animals like leopards would take rest in the darkness of tunnels, but the watchman with the help his lamp drove them out because the leopards would be run over by the train. As they both see each other regularly, leopard behaves also friendly.
And all other stories like Snake trouble, The night train at Deoli, Belting around Mumbai, going home, the long day, the woman on the platform no:8 are enjoyable while reading. We become children in some situations and happier about our past incidents. Ruskin Bond's style of writing is unique in everyway. His microscopic view makes us amazing while insects, animals and other creatures were portrayed in a simple yet realistic way. Weaving an interesting story out of a small incident or no incident needs a masterful mind. I constantly draw inspiration from Ernest Hemingway and Ruskin Bond in this regard.
----- Murthy Kvvs
#Blogchatter Blog Hop
(Submitted to The Blogchatter for "Best thrillers you have read" prompt)
(
Good tribute on the author's 89th birthday.
ReplyDelete