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.

We said nothing for some time but we couldn’t have been more eloquent.

If dreams have any meaning at all, the meaning doesn’t come within our limited comprehension.

was too full of my own love to think that any other was possible.

‘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.

‘Ugly is just a word,’ I said. ‘Like beauty. They mean different things to different people. What did the poet say?—“Beauty is truth, truth is beauty.”

But if beauty and truth are the same thing, why have different words?

There are no absolutes except birt...

riendship is all about doing things together. It may be climbing a mountain, fishing in a mountain stream, cycling along a country road, camping in a forest clearing, or simply travelling together and sharing the experiences that a new place can bring.

He could make you laugh. And anyone who can do that is easily forgiven for a great many faults.