Everlasting Bond

If you take Ruskin Bond8217;s birth certificate into account, he is 74. But when you turn the pages of The Parrot Who Wouldn8217;t Talk and Other Stories, then he is slightly older than 10.

In his newest book, Ruskin Bond once again recaptures his idyllic boyhood days in Dehra Dun

If you take Ruskin Bond8217;s birth certificate into account, he is 74. But when you turn the pages of The Parrot Who Wouldn8217;t Talk and Other Stories, then he is slightly older than 10. After sharing his charming boyhood many a times with his ardent readers, the author now recalls the eccentricities of his relatives living in Dehra Dun.

8220;I think everyone has at least one eccentric aunt or uncle in the family. I had more than one. My boyhood days were enlivened by them,8221; says the iconic writer on the jacket of the book. The stories, 14 of them, reveal his grandfather8217;s mastery in disguise, Aunt Ruby8217;s misadventures with a pet parrot, great-grandfather8217;s regimental mynah, stationmaster Mr Ghosh8217;s family of white mice and bachelor scoutmaster Mr Oliver8217;s grief over his pup8217;s death. But it8217;s Uncle Ken who shines through them-with his goofiness and ability to court trouble and limitless bicycle rides with his young nephew. He puts Ruskin on a wrong train and misses the ship on their way to London at Port Said.

Apart from Uncle Ken, it8217;s the author8217;s favourite Dehra that brightens up the tales. Most of the actions of this collection take place in this hill town. In the course of the book, the author mentions a number of times the loss of Dehra8217;s greenery and beauty. The last two stories of the book have Bond reminiscing his early years there in the lap of greenery and in the company of his grandparents.

The book published by Puffin is meant for young readers. But it won8217;t be at all surprising if older Bond fans, not restricted to any age group, pick up The Parrot Who Wouldn8217;t Talk to get a fresh dose of his delightful tales. After all, who doesn8217;t like a heartwarming tale of childhood. That apart, Bond8217;s lucid and interactive writing style as always manages to tug at his readers8217; heartstrings.

What adds to the book8217;s appeal are Kavita Arvind8217;s beautiful illustrations. They are simple, cute and funny8212;just like the stories.

A prolific writer, Bond has till date written 30 books for children. It8217;s amazing how so many more stories are left within him. One can credit it to his wonderful childhood in the hills. Or one, can simply salute the genius of this master storyteller.