A Gathering of Friends: My Favourite Stories

by Ruskin Bond

Life has its ups and downs and periods of darkness, but now and then it springs a surprise, such as an encounter with an old friend, and makes us want to go on a little longer.

Well, it often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them. They have too much to take in, I suppose. Whereas people who cannot see (or see very little) have to take in only the essentials, whatever registers tellingly on their remaining senses.

‘It isn’t time that’s passing by, my friend. It is you and I.’

I may stop loving you, Sushila, but I will never stop loving the days I loved you.

The skin cannot change the eyes. The eyes are the true reflection of a man’s age and sensibilities. Even a blind man has hidden eyes.

A woman, I reasoned, would do anything for love provided it was not at the price of security; for a woman loves security as much as a man loves independence.

The plainsman looks to the hills for the needs of his spirit but the hill man looks to the plains for a living.