Panther's Moon and Other Stories

by Ruskin Bond

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
A Tiger in the Tunnel
The Monkeys
Grandpa Fights an Ostrich
Panther's Moon
Eyes of the Cat
The Leopard
Grandpa Tickles a Tiger
The Eye of the Eagle
A Crow for all Seasons
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, India, Animals, Indian Literature

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent. He is considered to be an icon among Indian writers and children's authors and a top novelist. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof, when he was seventeen which won John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. Since then he has written several novellas, over 500 short stories, as well as various essays and poems, all of which have established him as one of the best-loved and most admired chroniclers of contemporary India. In 1992 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for English writing, for his short stories collection, "Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra", by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for contributions to children's literature. He now lives with his adopted family in Landour near Mussoorie.

Reviews

[Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading "Panther's Moon" by Ruskin Bond, an excellent collection of 10 stories of human encounters with animals. By the time you finish reading this book, you start looking at animals in a different light. I liked all the stories.

[Hema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Ruskin Bond is a collection of 10 short stories for children, some of which have appeared in few books also. Mr. Bond, being a resident of Mussorie, is known to write stories that capture the picturesque beauty of the hills or the plains. This book which deals mainly with the animals covers the flora and fauna, along with other rare breeds of animals in great detail.

The tone of Narration varies according to the story. Sometimes it’s a monologue and sometimes a narration. However, it is, the story telling is impeccable, even if it’s in an animal’s point of view. Indeed, his serene, picture perfect hill town surroundings are vividly described in each chapter.
As usual a mundane day is turned into the most eventful day in the stories. His words bring forth an visual that is appalling and nerve racking as the story unfolds explaining the events that will mark the day. It was also his narration that shows us just how impossible and hard the life of people living in the hills is. One interesting thing to be noted is how the author has taken a keen interest on every animal and bird around him, noticing the tiniest detail and tying it in the story he builds around the animal.

The author through his stories showcases that both animals and humans must keep to their boundaries. Any other way is only disturbing the nature’s balance. And all the stories underline and educate the readers of this importance. The author narrates the hunting of the prey by ferocious predators as if he had been on a hunting expedition himself. The whole incident keeps us mesmerised with bated breath to know if the prey was safe or not.

I especially like the chapter of “A crow for all seasons”. It was really funny and the way the author chooses to tell his story is fresh and imaginative. Then there was “Eyes of the cat”, which I had to read it again to check if I indeed caught the crux. I wouldn’t say it as paranormal but it definitely was vindictive and vendetta. This will make a good read for the middle grade kids.

[Akash Amat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. An exquisite collection of short stories, centered around animal encounters, with themes of humour, adventure, triumph, and even tragedy; happy endings mostly though. And as usual for Bond, picturesque proses about Himalayan villages abound.

I picked this up to get more familiarity with Bond. I had tried another book by Bond, but ended up DNF'ing: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

An overview of the stories...
1. The Tiger in the Tunnel:..............Tragedy and bravery
2. The Monkeys:..............................Paranormal, a pinch of humour
3. Grandpa Fights an Ostrich:...........Humour, adventure. Awesome!
This story is a superb example of taking a dangerous, unsavory occurrence and ending up with a light hearted yet vivid story.
4. Panther's Moon:..........................Hard work, tragedy, bravery, triumph
5. Eyes of the Cat:...........................It's good :) I'd spoil this by adding any more detail.
6. The Leopard:...............................Memoir, adventure, a bit of tragedy
7. Grandpa Tickles a Tiger:.............Adventure, humour, a twist ending
8. The Eye of the Eagle:.................Adventure, triumph
9. A Crow for all Seasons:..............Humour
10. Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright:...A bit of adventure, a bit of tragedy, a happy ending for both the humans and the animal

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who enjoy forest stories, hunting or adventure stories go for this. Though this book is for 9+ ages, is good read for the simple and narrative style. At times I felt as though I am reading Jim Corbett book, but Ruskin Bond's narration is different and I am sure, you will enjoy reading the same.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a delight to read Ruskin Bond books. This one is a collection of jungle stories and very much a children book. The amount of tides I have faced this year, this book felt like that much needed ice cream, taking my mind off the storm. Lovely stories with his simple and elegant style of storytelling.

[Ananya Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wierd, Amazing and sweet encounters of humans with animals which you will think about and cherish long after you've kept it down. This book is different yet familiar. Loved reading those stories full of Feelings and a world full of unknown surprises.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! A crow for all seasons was my favourite story. Enjoyed the magical descriptions of nature in this book and the different perspectives all the stories were written from. And the underlying message from all the stories- man is meant to co exist in harmony with earth’s other inhabitants

[Ayati Choudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An edition of some of the most remarkable animal stories..💜

[Upasana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable collection of short stories by Ruskin Bond.

[Maheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Panther's Moon is a superb story by Ruskin Bond. Mr. Bond has done a very good job at giving the story life. Every sentence brings about an image in front of your eyes. It is as if the story is unfolding in the reader's surroundings. The setting of a story is in the Himalayas, where a panther has haunted a village and has become a man-eater. You should definitely read this story, it is gem of a story.

[Shriya Uday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection does an excellent job of balancing the human Vs nature conflict. Of how a lot of danger from animals is due to human encroachment but also how it disproportionately affects certain groups of people and the real danger it poses to them.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the short stories. Beautifully written, completely different to other "children's tales", unexpectedly dark and deceptively smart.

[Nandan Avadhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really engaging although some stories are better than the others especially the story about the monkies.still thoroughly enjoyed it one of the best short story books i have read

[Himanshu namdev · Rating 5 out of 5]

The short stories collection of ruskin bond takes us closer to nature and wildlife. Beautifully written.

[Abhipreetaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book by Ruskin bond.

[Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is a storyteller who is able to please the readers of all ages, it has got to be him.

All the stories described here will give you quite an idea how the Himalayan region is. You will be able to feel atmosphere of the region.

Stories are replete with emotions and dwell on encounters between animals and humans.

Once you start reading a story, you will not be able to put down the book until you finish it.

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the exception of one story where the girl turns into a leopard to kill her teacher , this is my favourite collection of short stories from an author who can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.