Ruskin Bond

Somi wore a cotton tunic and shorts, and sat cross-legged, his feet pressed against his thighs. His skin was a golden brown, dark on his legs and arms but fair, very fair, where his shirt lay open. His hands were dirty; but eloquent. His eyes, deep brown and dreamy, had depth and roundness.

Somi said, ‘Tell me something about yourself. By what misfortune are you an Englishman? How is it that you have been here all your life and never been to a chaat shop before?’

They who sleep last, wake first. Hunger and pain lengthen the night, and so the beggars and dogs are the last to see the stars; hunger and pain hasten the awakening, and beggars and dogs are the first to see the sun

But a few days later Kishen received Maharani’s nose in his pants, and had to pick himself up from the gutter

Ranbir wrestled. That was why he was so good at riding buffaloes. He was the best wrestler in the bazaar; not very clever, but powerful; he was like a great tree, and no amount of shaking could move him from whatever spot he chose to plant his big feet. But he was gentle by nature. The women always gave him their babies to look after when they were busy, and he would cradle the babies in his open hands, and sing to them, and be happy for hours

‘Why the roof?’

‘Because your room is on the roof.’

*

Chewing gum,’ declared Kapoor, waving a finger in the air, ‘is the secret of youth. Have you observed the Americans, how young they look, and the English, how haggard? It has nothing to do with responsibilities, it is chewing gum

At last Kapoor observed: ‘My wife is a devil, a beautiful, beautiful devil!’

Nothing.’

‘You must be in love.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Who is it, eh?’

‘If I told you,’ said Rusty, ‘you’d be jealous.’

‘But I’m not in love with anybody. Come on, tell me, I’m your friend.’

‘Would you be angry if I said I loved your mother?’

‘Mummy!’ exclaimed Kishen. ‘But she’s old! She’s married. Hell, who would think of falling in love with Mummy? Don’t joke, mister.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Rusty

‘I think the dog’s fallen out,’ said Meena.

‘Good,’ said Somi.

‘I think Suri’s fallen out,’ said Rusty.

‘Good,’ said Somi