Ruskin Bond Stories

01 Jan 0001

One day, when Rakesh was six years old, he walked home from the Mussoorie market eating cherries. They tasted a little sweet and a little sour. They were small, bright red cherries that had traveled all the way from the Kashmir Valley.

In the Himalayan hills where Rakesh lived, there weren’t many fruit trees. The ground was rocky, and the cold winds didn’t let most plants grow very big. But on the slopes that weren’t as windy, there were forests of oak and deodar trees.

01 Jan 0001

A Traveller’s Tale

Gopalpur-by-the-Sea!

Watercolor illustration of Gopalpur beach at sunrise, bathed in soft, golden light. Fishermen, their faces weathered and lined, are sorting their catch on the sand, their movements deliberate and efficient. Children, full of energy, are playing in the shallow water, their laughter echoing in the air. Empty hotels and cafes line the background, their faded grandeur a testament to a bygone era. The paint should capture the textures of the sand, the water, and the crumbling facades of the buildings. Use a vibrant palette of oranges, yellows, blues, and greens to capture the beauty of the sunrise. The air smells of salt and fish. The overall tone is nostalgic and bittersweet, reflecting the town’s faded glory.

01 Jan 0001

Goodbye, Miss Mackenzie

Watercolor illustration of Miss Mackenzie walking on a winding, red-earth path through the lush Indian hills towards a distant, hazy town shimmering in the heat. The sun beats down, casting dappled shadows through the dense foliage. She is carrying a worn, woven basket overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, her back slightly stooped from the weight. She’s wearing a long, floral-patterned dress, its fabric faded and patched in places, and a wide-brimmed straw hat providing shade. The landscape is vibrantly green, with glimpses of crumbling, old, dilapidated houses through the thick trees. Birds of paradise and bright bougainvillea add pops of color. The air is thick with the sound of cicadas.

01 Jan 0001

Monkey Trouble

Watercolor illustration of Grandfather, a kind elderly man with spectacles perched on his nose and wearing a crisp white dhoti, purchasing a small, mischievous-looking monkey, Tutu, from a weary-looking street performer with two other bored monkeys. The scene takes place on a bustling Indian street bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. Rich, warm shadows stretch long across the dusty ground. Colorful fabrics (silks, cottons, and handloom), overflowing baskets of spices (turmeric, chili, coriander), and earthenware pots are on display. The air is thick with the aroma of cardamom and roasted nuts. Grandfather’s expression is one of gentle amusement, while the street performer looks resigned. Tutu’s eyes gleam with playful cunning. Consistent watercolor style with soft blending and natural flow.

01 Jan 0001

Pret in the House

A watercolor illustration, bathed in the warm glow of a late afternoon sun, depicting a large, ancient peepul tree with gnarled roots growing through a crumbling brick wall softened by moss and ivy. Golden light filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. One side of the tree extends into a lush, vibrant garden bursting with hibiscus and marigolds, their colors intensely saturated. The other side overhangs a busy road with vintage, brightly colored cars – a turquoise Ambassador, a sunshine yellow Fiat – a sputtering, exhaust-filled bus, and a slow-moving horse-drawn cart piled high with goods. People walking by clutch their hats against a sudden gust of wind, their expressions a mixture of surprise and amusement. Dust motes dance in the sunlight filtering through the leaves. The illustration should evoke a nostalgic, slightly dreamlike feeling. Artistic style: fluid watercolor with soft blending and a natural, unforced flow. Emphasize the texture of the brick, bark, and fabric.

01 Jan 0001

Romi and the Wildfire

As Romi was about to hop on his bike, he saw smoke way off in the distance, behind the trees.

‘Looks like a forest fire!’ said Prem, his friend from school.

‘It’s far to the side,’ Romi said. ‘Nowhere near the road.’

‘The wind is super strong,’ Prem said, watching dry leaves swirl around the road.

It was the middle of May, and it hadn’t rained in the area for weeks. The grass was brown, and the leaves on the trees were dusty. Even though it was almost six in the evening, the boys’ shirts were sweaty.

01 Jan 0001

Snake Trouble

Watercolor illustration of Grandpa, a kind-faced, elderly man with deeply etched wrinkles around his warm, hazel eyes, a neatly trimmed white mustache, and wearing traditional Indian clothing (perhaps a dhoti and kurta in earthy tones), walking down a bustling Dehra market street in the golden afternoon light. A small, emerald-green python with intricate scale patterns is draped around his neck, catching the light. The boy, his grandson, walks beside him, looking proud with a gap-toothed grin and wearing a simple cotton shirt and shorts. Long shadows stretch across the dusty street. Market stalls overflow with colorful produce – bright red chilies, vibrant mangoes, and glistening green vegetables. People in traditional attire bustle around, some carrying woven baskets. Soft watercolor washes create a sense of heat and atmosphere. The overall tone is heartwarming and slightly surreal.

01 Jan 0001

The Coral Tree

Watercolor illustration of a young woman, around twenty years old, asleep on a weathered wooden porch swing. Soft morning light filters through the rain, casting blurred shadows on the porch floor. Rain streaks the air, illuminated by distant street lamps, creating a melancholic atmosphere. She is draped in a rough, indigo-dyed blanket, her face serene. A horse-drawn carriage is faintly visible in the background on the cobblestone street, its lamps glowing softly through the rain. Style: dreamy watercolor, soft blending, visible brushstrokes. Palette: muted blues, grays, and browns with pops of indigo and soft yellows.

01 Jan 0001

The Night the Roof Blew Off

We get lots of big storms here in the mountains! The old house we live in has been here for over a hundred years, and it’s seen some crazy winds. They zoom right across the hills!

Watercolor illustration of the old house nestled peacefully in a snowy mountain landscape. The house is sturdy and strong, the roof recently repaired with some visible signs of weathering blending the old and new materials. Fresh snow blankets the ground and clings to the pine trees. In the distance, there is a suggestion of more majestic mountains fading into the horizon, and the sky is filled with swirling, textured clouds painted with shades of gray, white, and a hint of lavender. The scene conveys a profound sense of peacefulness and tranquility. Smoke curls lazily from the chimney, suggesting warmth and comfort within. The light is soft and diffused, creating a gentle, harmonious atmosphere.

01 Jan 0001

The Overcoat

A lone figure, bundled in a thick, woolen scarf the color of faded brick and a long, charcoal-grey coat dusted with snow, walks along a winding, snow-packed road. A large, bright, full moon dominates the deep indigo sky, casting long, ethereal shadows across the snow-covered mountains in the background, their peaks frosted with silver. The town’s lights glow warmly in the distance, a soft, inviting orange against the cold blue of the night. Delicate snowflakes fall, catching the moonlight like tiny diamonds. The road is rutted and uneven, showing hints of frozen earth beneath the snow. Watercolor illustration, soft blending, cool blues and warm oranges create a sense of cold beauty and distant comfort.

01 Jan 0001

The School Among the Pines

A watercolor illustration of a strong, graceful leopard drinking from a clear mountain stream at golden hour. Warm sunlight dappling on its fur creates highlights, contrasting with the cool shadows beneath its belly. Lush emerald green grass surrounds the stream, its blades individually rendered with delicate washes. Rocky mountain peaks, tinged with violet hues from the setting sun, are visible in the background. The water reflects the sky with shimmering blues and oranges. The overall tone is peaceful and majestic, emphasizing the harmony of nature.

01 Jan 0001

The Thief’s Story

I was still a thief when I met Romi. I was only fifteen, but I was good at it. Romi was watching a wrestling match when I walked up to him. He looked like he was about twenty-five, and he seemed friendly and easy to trick. I thought I could easily become his friend.

A skinny, young boy (Hari Singh), no older than 15, with a mischievous grin and close-cropped, dusty brown hair, approaches a slightly older man (Romi), maybe 25, with a lean build and kind eyes. Romi is captivated by a wrestling match in the foreground. The wrestling ring is a makeshift pit in a dusty, vibrant Indian market, with two powerfully built wrestlers grappling in a cloud of sweat and dust, their oiled bodies glistening under the harsh midday sun. The scene is alive with the cacophony of market sounds and a riot of colors: saffron robes, turquoise textiles, and earthen browns. Sunlight creates deep shadows, highlighting the texture of the rough-hewn wooden fence surrounding the ring and the animated faces in the crowd. Watercolor illustration with soft blending and natural flow, capturing the vibrant energy of India.

01 Jan 0001

The Tunnel

A young boy, Suraj, stands near weathered train tracks disappearing into the inky maw of a dark tunnel entrance deep within a lush, vibrant green jungle. The late afternoon sun casts long, dappled shadows through the dense foliage. The air above the tracks shimmers with intense heat haze, distorting the distant view. A rusty bicycle, its tires slightly deflated, leans against the gnarled roots of a nearby banyan tree. Suraj is barefoot, wearing a faded blue shirt and brown shorts, his face etched with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Watercolor style, soft blending, natural flow.

01 Jan 0001

The Wind on Haunted Hill

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, sang the wind as it rushed down from the snowy mountains. It zoomed over the hills, humming and whistling through the tall trees. Haunted Hill didn’t have much to stop the wind – just some small trees and bushes, and the broken walls of an old town.

Watercolor illustration of Usha, Suresh, and Binya on a windy hilltop village. They are securing vibrant, patched clothes – a faded blue shirt, a red and yellow sari – to a crumbling stone wall with jagged-edged rocks. Usha has dark, windblown hair framing a face with rosy cheeks, her brow furrowed in concentration. Suresh is younger and smaller, clutching a stone tightly, his eyes wide with exertion. Binya is slightly older than Usha, her hands deftly pinning a colorful cloth, a serene expression on her face despite the harsh wind. In the background, a distant, dilapidated town sits atop another hill, partially obscured by blowing wind and a hazy, grey sky tinged with a touch of lavender. The watercolor effect should emphasize the texture of the stone, the wind’s movement through the clothing, and the soft, diffused light typical of a windy day. The overall tone is one of resilience and quiet determination, rendered with delicate watercolor washes.

01 Jan 0001

Those Three Bears

Most villages in the Himalaya mountains are in valleys. Valleys have little streams, some places to grow food, and they’re safe from the super cold winds that blow through the mountains in winter. The houses are usually built with big rocks and have slanted roofs made of stone, so the heavy rain can slide right off. When it’s sunny in the fall, you’ll often see pumpkins on the roofs, getting all nice and ripe in the sun.

01 Jan 0001

Tiger My Friend

Watercolor illustration of an old tiger with gold and yellow fur, streaked with mud and battle scars, walking purposefully through tall, dry grass near a misty swamp at sunset. Long shadows stretch from the tiger, highlighting the texture of its fur. The tiger’s tail, tipped with black, is just visible above the golden grass. Water lilies with delicate white and yellow petals float on the dark, still water. A faint orange glow reflects off the water, creating a warm, melancholic tone. The air is thick with humidity. Style: Soft watercolor with visible brushstrokes and color bleeding, capturing the raw texture of the environment.

01 Jan 0001

Wild Fruit

Watercolor illustration of Vijay discovering wild strawberries in a sun-dappled clearing. He is kneeling in the damp grass, his fingers gently separating the broad, green leaves to reveal a small, bright red strawberry hidden beneath. The sun filters through the canopy of trees overhead, casting dappled shadows on the ground, creating a mosaic of light and shade. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves. He’s surrounded by ferns and moss-covered rocks. The color palette is dominated by lush greens, vibrant reds, and warm yellows, conveying a sense of natural beauty and hope. Vijay’s face is illuminated with a mixture of wonder and anticipation. His small hand gently plucks the berry. The watercolor technique captures the delicate textures of the leaves, the moist earth, and the plumpness of the strawberry. Soft blending creates a sense of tranquility and intimacy.