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Stories Short and Sweet
Stories Short and Sweet by Ruskin Bond is a collection of his choicest short stories capturing the myriad facets of life in the hills. Humour, nostalgia, love, friendship, trust and betrayal – Bond captures every mood that makes childhood worth remembering. From the nostalgia of country life revisited in When the Tress Walked, to the beautiful bond of friendship formed between an old widow and a young boy owing to their shared love of flowers in A Bouquet of Love, from a mischievous ghost in Pret in the House to a little boy craving for sweets in The Wild Fruit – this collection encapsulates the magic of extraordinary emotions seen in ordinary lives. Every story is delicately woven into a memorable vignette set in the backdrop of the countryside or the middle class urban life. The many shades of childhood and a rich cast of characters make it a fascinating read, especially for young readers.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2011
72 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
680 books3,557 followersRuskin 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 30, 2025
I don't know what it is about Ruskin Bond's writing, but every time I read his stories, I'm immersed in a sense of serenity. His books make me feel like I'm at the peak of a snow-capped mountain or surrounded by soothing greenery. This collection was no different.
The stories in this book portray daily life in small towns. It is a light read with simple stories. Even though I've never visited any of the places mentioned, I was filled with nostalgia for a place and period I have not experienced.
The stories in this book portray daily life in small towns. It is a light read with simple stories. Even though I've never visited any of the places mentioned, I was filled with nostalgia for a place and period I have not experienced.
June 2, 2020
audio book narrated by Homer Todiwala
Short, simple stories set in small Indian towns. Perfect for easing the mind. Beautifully narrated by Homer Todiwala.
Short, simple stories set in small Indian towns. Perfect for easing the mind. Beautifully narrated by Homer Todiwala.
April 25, 2021
Edit: Ahhh this is an extremely cringy review from when I joined(not that any of my current reviews are ~cringe~)
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Just another classic short-story collection from Ruskin Bond.
While I haven't read any complete book of his before, I have read short stories from my english textbook. I also know that almost all his books contain short-stories.
This book was recommended to me by a friend and it sure did not disappoint me. I listened to this audiobook on audible, so the overall rating is also based on the narration.
The narration wasn't that great, the voice was very soft and some words were hard to understand. I would probably give 2 stars just because of the audio part.
The stories are an entirely different matter. While the book wasn't good enough for 5 stars, it was still well-written.
The stories were small and most of them had on thing in common-nature.
Ruskin Bond has described the setting in such a pleasing way, it wasn't a really long description to be boring, but it wasn't too short either. His stories are concise and only has stuff that the readers should know.
The book was overall short with around 11 stories. Most of them were set in Dehradun.
I can now see why many people like Ruskin Bond's books very much. Based on his writing alone, I would give it 4 stars.
So my final rating is the average of both the ratings.
It turns out to be, well...3 stars.
This book was enjoyable, easy to read and just so good, but as this is the rating for the audiobook, it lost on whole star.
If I can, I'll definitely try to read more books by him as it has just the right amount of everything I need.
You don't usually see books describing nature, at least I don't, so this is a nice way to remind myself that such a thing as nature does exist.
If you're in need of some good old nature, now you know where to go...
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Just another classic short-story collection from Ruskin Bond.
While I haven't read any complete book of his before, I have read short stories from my english textbook. I also know that almost all his books contain short-stories.
This book was recommended to me by a friend and it sure did not disappoint me. I listened to this audiobook on audible, so the overall rating is also based on the narration.
The narration wasn't that great, the voice was very soft and some words were hard to understand. I would probably give 2 stars just because of the audio part.
The stories are an entirely different matter. While the book wasn't good enough for 5 stars, it was still well-written.
The stories were small and most of them had on thing in common-nature.
Ruskin Bond has described the setting in such a pleasing way, it wasn't a really long description to be boring, but it wasn't too short either. His stories are concise and only has stuff that the readers should know.
The book was overall short with around 11 stories. Most of them were set in Dehradun.
I can now see why many people like Ruskin Bond's books very much. Based on his writing alone, I would give it 4 stars.
So my final rating is the average of both the ratings.
It turns out to be, well...3 stars.
This book was enjoyable, easy to read and just so good, but as this is the rating for the audiobook, it lost on whole star.
If I can, I'll definitely try to read more books by him as it has just the right amount of everything I need.
You don't usually see books describing nature, at least I don't, so this is a nice way to remind myself that such a thing as nature does exist.
If you're in need of some good old nature, now you know where to go...
September 13, 2020
Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.
Aw! This is another short and sweet collection. Perhaps my favorite of all! It's so cute, and light, perfect if you are going through a book "hangover". Even though it's a reread, I was still amazed!
It makes you feel nostalgic, even though you haven't visited the Himalayas. Like, you know you haven't been there, but you still know the place like the back of your hand. It's full to the brim with the importance of nature, family, and words. How I wish I could write so magically!
I loved it, and would recommend it to every single living soul!
June 5, 2021
‘’Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s learning to dance in the rain.’’
Stories short and sweet, are a collection of 12 short stories by Ruskin Bond, including tales all sweet and sour like a lemonade. Everyone should read and gave some part of their day to reading. Actually, the reading habit is not absent, It’s always been a minority pastime. Some critics believe a writer should distance himself from his subject. He always gets involved with his subjects that he his writing about.
Director Aniruddha Roy Choudhury, who filmed 'Overcoat'--a ghost story written by Bond-- for a web series, said he wanted to make a ghost story, but ended up making a love story. Overcoat is an emotional story of ghosts coming alive and reliving their dreams of love left anguished in past lives.
In a Bouquet of love, Bond had described the friendship between a young school boy with an elderly woman who lived alone with a cat and who had a deep love and knowledge of rare flowers. At last. With a beautiful ending he writes – ‘She had gone to the mountain, where the blue gentian and purple Columbian grow.
We get to know about the tales of Gazi Saheb, a fakir who was the king of Jungles of Sunderban and who rode on a tiger. Between Calcutta and the sea, he is quite famous and recognized as a saint in many of the villages and revered by both Hindus and Muslims.
A tale of a white pigeon with a crimson stain and with a spirit of an old colonel’s wife flying on the ruins of Bindal waterhouse in Mussoorie was a treat to read.
He can get a theme or plot of his story from a flower, a leaf, a prig, a worm, or an ant crawling on his desk. Ruskin Bond is a close observer of things around him. Like great writers namely Dickens, Chekhov, and Samuel Beckett, his fictional world reflects his own experiences. He could get themes for his stories in the world where he lived because he depended entirely on what he saw around him.
He deserves to be recognized as a unique writer who explored India and its various aspects in a unique style, and that has provided a niche for him in literature today.
Stories short and sweet, are a collection of 12 short stories by Ruskin Bond, including tales all sweet and sour like a lemonade. Everyone should read and gave some part of their day to reading. Actually, the reading habit is not absent, It’s always been a minority pastime. Some critics believe a writer should distance himself from his subject. He always gets involved with his subjects that he his writing about.
Director Aniruddha Roy Choudhury, who filmed 'Overcoat'--a ghost story written by Bond-- for a web series, said he wanted to make a ghost story, but ended up making a love story. Overcoat is an emotional story of ghosts coming alive and reliving their dreams of love left anguished in past lives.
In a Bouquet of love, Bond had described the friendship between a young school boy with an elderly woman who lived alone with a cat and who had a deep love and knowledge of rare flowers. At last. With a beautiful ending he writes – ‘She had gone to the mountain, where the blue gentian and purple Columbian grow.
We get to know about the tales of Gazi Saheb, a fakir who was the king of Jungles of Sunderban and who rode on a tiger. Between Calcutta and the sea, he is quite famous and recognized as a saint in many of the villages and revered by both Hindus and Muslims.
A tale of a white pigeon with a crimson stain and with a spirit of an old colonel’s wife flying on the ruins of Bindal waterhouse in Mussoorie was a treat to read.
He can get a theme or plot of his story from a flower, a leaf, a prig, a worm, or an ant crawling on his desk. Ruskin Bond is a close observer of things around him. Like great writers namely Dickens, Chekhov, and Samuel Beckett, his fictional world reflects his own experiences. He could get themes for his stories in the world where he lived because he depended entirely on what he saw around him.
He deserves to be recognized as a unique writer who explored India and its various aspects in a unique style, and that has provided a niche for him in literature today.
January 18, 2018
Loved it.
October 26, 2022
A sweet collection of short stories which warmed my heart.
December 9, 2020
No hubbub of large towns, no getting stuck in traffic jam, no struggle for fresh air and no longing for a moment of peaceful silence. Ruskin Bond transports the readers to another world- a world set up in small hill towns; a world devoid of betrayal and double-facedness; a world full of innocence; a world where Nature is supreme; a world where there is music of laughter and happiness. Stories are true to the title of the book- short and sweet. All stories are to fall in love with. Some of these can make you yearn for childhood; some will leave you with a longing for love; and all stories will make you smile because life is beautiful. This book surely brings happiness.
August 22, 2017
Ruskin Bond proves that , you can churn good stories, without using complicated languages, they can be Short and Sweet as the title suggest, and they need not be filled with psycho killers and reach the last limit of para-normality to write a horror story.
Lovely Stories, light reading.. Should Read ! Must Read !!
Remember the Name is Bond ! Ruskin Bond !!!
Lovely Stories, light reading.. Should Read ! Must Read !!
Remember the Name is Bond ! Ruskin Bond !!!
September 14, 2014
I love Ruskin Bond. Who said his books are only for children?
I was not a book reader as a kid, and am catching up on Ruskin bond now.. this is the 3rd book
Fantastic & short stories. Took just about an hour to read the book end to end
I was not a book reader as a kid, and am catching up on Ruskin bond now.. this is the 3rd book
Fantastic & short stories. Took just about an hour to read the book end to end
April 25, 2016
May be my first Ruskin bond book after almost a decade, Simple yet beautiful stories; simplicity thats what Ruskin Bond is about.
February 7, 2018
A pond of sweet ecstasy.
If you're into just flicks of ecstatic writings which turn your mouth into a sweet pond, or even if you're not, kindly have a read.
If you're into just flicks of ecstatic writings which turn your mouth into a sweet pond, or even if you're not, kindly have a read.
November 20, 2018
What's left to say about a Ruskin Bond collection of short stories? Lovely, crisp and entertaining as any of his work, these tales helped fill my spare time in daydreams and imagination.
February 6, 2019
This book brings sunshine and happiness :)
Very cute and soothing stories.
Very cute and soothing stories.
December 11, 2025
With Ruskin Bond. The Man who gave me so much,,,,
This book is one of the best introductions to Ruskin Bond’s short-fiction universe. The collection brings together pieces that span several decades of his writing, offering readers a cross-sectional view of his talent for blending humour, nostalgia, pathos, and the everyday magic of Indian life.
Each story carries Bond’s unmistakable voice—gentle, unhurried, and profoundly human.
One of the strengths of this anthology is its thematic range. Bond does not confine himself to a single emotional mood. Some stories are humorous, like those featuring eccentric hill-town characters and the mischief of childhood.
Others are touching on and exploring loneliness, old age, loss, and the delicate bonds that hold people together.
Still others carry a faint supernatural flavour, adding intrigue without disrupting realism. This diversity makes the collection dynamic yet cohesive.
Bond’s gift for characterisation shines throughout. He sketches memorable personalities with just a few lines: the chatty grandmother, the lonely schoolmaster, the inquisitive child, the mysterious stranger, the kindly shopkeeper. Even minor characters feel alive.
Bond never mocks people; he portrays their quirks with affection, making readers recognise fragments of themselves in each character.
Children occupy a central place in the collection. Bond portrays childhood not through idealisation but through authenticity. His child protagonists are curious, flawed, empathetic, mischievous, sometimes afraid, and sometimes brave.
Their world—filled with mango trees, narrow hill paths, dilapidated bungalows, bustling bazaars, and unexpected friendships—feels both nostalgic and timeless.
Adults reading these stories often rediscover parts of their own childhood they thought forgotten.
Nature is another major presence. Bond’s descriptions of the hills, rivers, forests, and changing seasons elevate even the simplest story.
A short walk through the forest becomes an emotional journey; a sudden shower becomes a symbol of renewal; mist becomes a metaphor for uncertainty. His environmental awareness is intuitive rather than didactic—by showing the beauty of nature, he encourages readers to care for it.
The simplicity of Bond’s storytelling is deceptive. His narratives may appear light, but they often contain deeper reflections on loneliness, acceptance, ageing, and the fragility of relationships.
Some stories explore the quiet heartbreaks people carry within them. Others celebrate everyday kindness. The emotional range—delivered with restraint—gives the collection lasting impact.
Humour plays a crucial role as well. Bond’s comedic timing is subtle, grounded in the oddities of real life. Whether it is a troublesome pet, a gossiping neighbour, or an unexpected encounter on a bus, Bond’s humour evokes smiles rather than loud laughter—the kind that lingers warmly.
Unlike many short-story writers who rely on twists, Bond relies on mood. His stories often end quietly, sometimes ambiguously.
But they leave behind an emotional echo—a sense of understanding, warmth, or bittersweet reflection.
This understated approach is one of the reasons his stories remain relevant across generations.
The structure of the anthology, with stories of varying lengths, allows readers to dip in and out easily.
Some stories are mere vignettes—snapshots of a moment. Others unfold more fully, exploring deeper emotional arcs. This mix makes the reading experience flexible and engaging.
A central appeal of the book lies in its accessibility. Bond’s prose is lucid and rhythmic. His observations are sharp yet compassionate.
He writes about ordinary people, ordinary events—but finds extraordinary tenderness within them.
Young readers enjoy the simplicity; adult readers appreciate the layered emotions; older readers find comfort in the memories the stories evoke.
Ultimately, Stories Short and Sweet is a celebration of life in all its everyday beauty. It reminds readers that stories do not need grandeur to matter—they only need honesty.
Bond’s worlds may be small, but they feel expansive because they mirror human experience with clarity and heart.
This collection is not just “short and sweet”; it is enduring and quietly profound.
Most recommended.
This book is one of the best introductions to Ruskin Bond’s short-fiction universe. The collection brings together pieces that span several decades of his writing, offering readers a cross-sectional view of his talent for blending humour, nostalgia, pathos, and the everyday magic of Indian life.
Each story carries Bond’s unmistakable voice—gentle, unhurried, and profoundly human.
One of the strengths of this anthology is its thematic range. Bond does not confine himself to a single emotional mood. Some stories are humorous, like those featuring eccentric hill-town characters and the mischief of childhood.
Others are touching on and exploring loneliness, old age, loss, and the delicate bonds that hold people together.
Still others carry a faint supernatural flavour, adding intrigue without disrupting realism. This diversity makes the collection dynamic yet cohesive.
Bond’s gift for characterisation shines throughout. He sketches memorable personalities with just a few lines: the chatty grandmother, the lonely schoolmaster, the inquisitive child, the mysterious stranger, the kindly shopkeeper. Even minor characters feel alive.
Bond never mocks people; he portrays their quirks with affection, making readers recognise fragments of themselves in each character.
Children occupy a central place in the collection. Bond portrays childhood not through idealisation but through authenticity. His child protagonists are curious, flawed, empathetic, mischievous, sometimes afraid, and sometimes brave.
Their world—filled with mango trees, narrow hill paths, dilapidated bungalows, bustling bazaars, and unexpected friendships—feels both nostalgic and timeless.
Adults reading these stories often rediscover parts of their own childhood they thought forgotten.
Nature is another major presence. Bond’s descriptions of the hills, rivers, forests, and changing seasons elevate even the simplest story.
A short walk through the forest becomes an emotional journey; a sudden shower becomes a symbol of renewal; mist becomes a metaphor for uncertainty. His environmental awareness is intuitive rather than didactic—by showing the beauty of nature, he encourages readers to care for it.
The simplicity of Bond’s storytelling is deceptive. His narratives may appear light, but they often contain deeper reflections on loneliness, acceptance, ageing, and the fragility of relationships.
Some stories explore the quiet heartbreaks people carry within them. Others celebrate everyday kindness. The emotional range—delivered with restraint—gives the collection lasting impact.
Humour plays a crucial role as well. Bond’s comedic timing is subtle, grounded in the oddities of real life. Whether it is a troublesome pet, a gossiping neighbour, or an unexpected encounter on a bus, Bond’s humour evokes smiles rather than loud laughter—the kind that lingers warmly.
Unlike many short-story writers who rely on twists, Bond relies on mood. His stories often end quietly, sometimes ambiguously.
But they leave behind an emotional echo—a sense of understanding, warmth, or bittersweet reflection.
This understated approach is one of the reasons his stories remain relevant across generations.
The structure of the anthology, with stories of varying lengths, allows readers to dip in and out easily.
Some stories are mere vignettes—snapshots of a moment. Others unfold more fully, exploring deeper emotional arcs. This mix makes the reading experience flexible and engaging.
A central appeal of the book lies in its accessibility. Bond’s prose is lucid and rhythmic. His observations are sharp yet compassionate.
He writes about ordinary people, ordinary events—but finds extraordinary tenderness within them.
Young readers enjoy the simplicity; adult readers appreciate the layered emotions; older readers find comfort in the memories the stories evoke.
Ultimately, Stories Short and Sweet is a celebration of life in all its everyday beauty. It reminds readers that stories do not need grandeur to matter—they only need honesty.
Bond’s worlds may be small, but they feel expansive because they mirror human experience with clarity and heart.
This collection is not just “short and sweet”; it is enduring and quietly profound.
Most recommended.
December 23, 2020
Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.
Aw! This is another short and sweet collection. Perhaps my favorite of all! It's so cute, and light, perfect if you are going through a book "hangover". Even though it's a reread, I was still amazed!
It makes you feel nostalgic, even though you haven't visited the Himalayas. Like, you know you haven't been there, but you still know the place like the back of your hand. It's full to the brim with the importance of nature, family, and words. How I wish I could write so magically!
I loved it, and would recommend it to every single living soul!
December 8, 2017
A beautiful collection of short stories, meant for the children mainly. Though I immensely enjoyed reading each of them. It'll transport you to the small villages and towns in the Himalayan foothill, in an era bygone, when life used to be much simple. Each story exudes the innocence and nostalgia of childhood. Little school kids, ghosts living in trees making fun of humans, old people living in small cottages... all of them have become characters in these stories. Ruskin Bond's story telling is engages the reader as usual. Overall, an enjoyable read.
October 17, 2018
Light read
It's a good light read when you are in short transit or looking to kill some time in a waiting area or lobby. Reminds me of an India I grew up in, where life was simpler and slower than it is today and we had time to interact with other people instead of being immersed in our technology. Don't expect any fancy writing.
It's a good light read when you are in short transit or looking to kill some time in a waiting area or lobby. Reminds me of an India I grew up in, where life was simpler and slower than it is today and we had time to interact with other people instead of being immersed in our technology. Don't expect any fancy writing.
June 10, 2024
My rating is a solid 3.5
Listened to it in audible as an audiobook. The story mostly takes place in or near dehradun, but maybe I am not a fan of Ruskin bond, I didn't enjoy it, it may be the narrator's fault. The stories were short and the book consists of a total of 12 chapters. Overall it was an okay read....
Listened to it in audible as an audiobook. The story mostly takes place in or near dehradun, but maybe I am not a fan of Ruskin bond, I didn't enjoy it, it may be the narrator's fault. The stories were short and the book consists of a total of 12 chapters. Overall it was an okay read....
March 13, 2025
A delightful collection of unrelated short stories, perfect for a quick and easy read. Set mostly in Dehradun and Mussoorie, Bond’s storytelling captures the charm of small-town life and nature’s beauty. The simple, engaging language makes it great for kids and anyone looking for a light, nostalgic read.
February 19, 2024
i have a rule of not giving 5 stars to the short ones. this made me cry, this made me smile it made me think and feel fuzzy inside, rules are ment to be broken, this is a five star, Raskin bond did it again.
June 19, 2018
True to the title the stories are short and sweet. Good for the younger ones.
February 17, 2019
Wonderful set of stories to make visualisation alive for kids and young adults.
December 26, 2019
Truly short and sweet from master storyteller.
March 10, 2021
Perfect for the children in yourself and in your life
June 17, 2021
Nice story of Ruskin Bond, I loved the story of ghost,
Also book is well decorated with nice colourful drawings.
Also book is well decorated with nice colourful drawings.
January 13, 2022
This is one of the precious little gem I own.
October 31, 2022
Just as the name suggests
February 9, 2025
Cute, Moving, Inspiring!
November 6, 2023
The book was very good .The stories were easy to read and understand.Ruskin Bond a very good author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews