Bonds Bond with Children: Portrayal of Childhood in Ruskin Bonds Selected Stories

Ruskin Bond is one of the finest storytellers in India at present. His writings have mesmerised the readers over the years. He is a prolific writer. He is popular for his exclusive collection of short stories. His stories are semi-fictional and semi-autobiographical. It offers a fresh charm and an essence of simplicity. Most of his stories are set in the hilly regions of Dehra, Mussoorie, and other similar places in the Northern Himalayas. Bond’s love for Nature is exhibited through his stories. He has also expressed his love for the children through his stories. Children are the protagonists in most of his stories. They are innocent and inquisitive. They enjoy the simple joys of life. They like adventures. They are also brave, helpful, and friendly. They share a close affinity with nature. They are respectful to their elders. Bond has depicted the pleasures and complexities of childhood and growing up. His stories are marked by their subtle emotional sensibilities. This reflects his sensible understanding of children’s minds. It also represents the void of his heart, as he was deprived of having a pleasant and secure childhood. Consequently, Bond’s portrayal of childhood is often wrapped in the veil of solitude. This paper will explore the vast universe of children through a reading of Bond’s selected stories.