'Stories Short and Sweet' is a
wonderful collection of 12 short stories by Ruskin Bond, set in the hilly small
towns of India. The book captures various facets of life, including humor,
nostalgia, love, friendship, trust, and betrayal, often through the lens of
childhood experiences.
Here are the chapters (stories)
included in the collection:
1. Those Three Bears
2. The Coral Tree
3. He Who Rides A Tiger
4. The Thief’s Story
5. When the Trees Walked
6. A Bouquet of Love
7. The White Pigeon
8. Pret in the House
9. The Overcoat
10. The Tunnel
11. The Snake Charmer's Daughter
12. The Wild Fruit
I loved the stories, "The Coral
Tree", "The Thief’s Story", and "A Bouquet of Love " a
lot. “The Coral Tree” tells the story of a young man leaving his grand father’s
house in India for England permanently, and touches the emotional aspect of
parting with a place. Reading the story, it strongly feels like we are the boy
and an urge to make the boy not leave. "The Thief’s Story" is a
touching story of a thief who tries to steal from his own friend, and the associated
dilemma. “A Bouquet of Love” tells the story of an elderly woman living a solitary
life in a cottage on a hill station and how once harsh weather takes her life.
Each story is crafted with Ruskin
Bond’s signature warmth and gentle humor, making it a delightful read for all
ages.
- Rahul
