A timeless selection of writings from India’s best-loved author
I know the world’s a crowded place, And elephants do take up space, But if it makes a difference, Lord, I’d gladly share my room and board. A baby elephant would do . . . But, if he brings his mother too, There’s Dad’s garage. He wouldn’t mind. To elephants, he’s more than kind. But I wonder what my Mum would say If their aunts and uncles came to stay!
Ruskin Bond has regaled generations of readers for decades. This delightful collection of poetry, prose and non-fiction brings together some of his best work in a single volume. Sumptuously illustrated, Uncles, Aunts and Elephants: Tales from Your Favourite Storyteller is a book to treasure for all times.
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.
This book is a warm, whimsical treasury that gathers together stories, sketches, and memories celebrating the delightful oddities of family and the natural world. True to Bond’s signature charm, the book draws its life from small towns, bustling families, eccentric relatives, unexpected animal companions, and the gentle humour of everyday existence.
What makes this collection particularly enjoyable is its tone—light without being shallow, nostalgic without being sentimental, and humorous without ever trying too hard.
The title story itself sets the mood, portraying a childhood surrounded by peculiar human beings and even more peculiar animals. Bond’s writing carries a conversational simplicity, which lets the reader slip into the scenery as comfortably as into an old armchair.
His elephants, monkeys, parrots, and other creatures are never mere props. They are personalities—stubborn, lovable, and occasionally chaotic—mirroring the temperaments of the various uncles and aunts who populate his world.
One of the strengths of the treasury is its multi-tonal range. Some stories sparkle with mischief—adventures with pets, runaway escapades, and childhood pranks—while others are introspective portraits of solitude, companionship, and belonging.
Bond’s voice unites them all: curious, affectionate, and always observant. His eye for detail makes the simplest objects—an umbrella, an old veranda, a forgotten garden—feel alive.
Bond’s portrayals of family stand out as especially tender. Unlike idealised versions of childhood so common in literature, he embraces the imperfections: forgetful uncles who cause chaos without meaning to, independent-minded aunts who dominate with eccentric rules, and children who observe everything with equal parts confusion and fascination.
His humour is soft-edged; it nunca mocks but gently teases, allowing the reader to see the love beneath dysfunction.
Another striking feature of this treasury is how Bond writes about animals with dignity. Elephants aren’t treated as exotic spectacles; they are written with empathy and respect. He highlights both their power and fragility.
Even the most humorous episodes involving animals carry a sense of moral grounding: kindness, care, and coexistence. Bond has always been a writer who blurs the line between human and natural worlds, reminding us that animals, too, are part of family.
The illustrations and layout in many editions of this book add to the reading experience, especially for younger readers.
But even for adults, the charm remains fully intact. The treasury format allows the reader to dip in and out—each section a small world of its own.
The book also includes reflections on the writing life and Bond’s connection with the hills. His memories of Dehradun and Mussoorie echo throughout the treasury, building a whimsical geography of childhood spaces that readers will recognise across his works. Here, though, the emphasis is firmly on joy—the joy of storytelling, of observing people, of recalling memories rendered soft by time.
Uncles, Aunts and Elephants is ultimately a celebration of innocence and humanity. It does not attempt to deliver profound revelations or complex plots. Instead, it offers readers something rarer: a feeling of being at home.
Bond uses humour and simplicity to evoke the universality of growing up—the odd relatives we all have, the little misadventures that become lifelong memories, and the animals that change our worldview.
In an era where children’s literature often leans toward moralising or spectacle, Bond’s treasury stands out for its warm realism. It speaks to young readers without condescension and to adults with nostalgia and clarity.
The book succeeds because it is rooted not in grand themes but in the profound delight of everyday life.
For readers new to Bond, this collection is an excellent entry point.
For long-time admirers, it offers a comforting return to the familiar world of laughter, affection, and quiet wisdom that only Ruskin Bond can create.
What a delightful read! A classic Ruskin Bond book that can be read by anyone irrespective of age.
The book has fictional and non fictional short stories, as well as poetry. Part memoir!
My favorite stories:
Fictional ones -
Escape from Java Monkey Trouble
Non Fictional ones - Reading Was My Religion Simla and Delhi, 1943
Reading Was My Religion is about how a young Ruskin Bond picked up reading as a habit and how he feels about religion in general.
My favorite quotes from various chapters:
#1 Neurotics do not walk for pleasure; they walk out of of compulsion. They are not looking at the trees or the flowers or the mountains; they are not looking at other people (except in apprehension); they are usually walking away from something - unhappiness or disarray in their lives. They tire themselves out, physically and mentally, and that brings them some relief.
#2 Nothing could be further removed from the turmoil of our times than an English cathedral in the nineteenth century. But l think Jane Austen have appreciated life in Bhabiji's house.
#3 Where the man goes, the crow follows. He has learnt to perfection the art of living off humans. He will, I am sure, be the first bird on the moon, scavenging among the paper bags and cartons left behind by untidy astronauts.
#4 Looking back on my boyhood, I feel sure that my mother must have had her own compulsions, her own views on e and how it should be lived. After all, she had only been eighteen when she had married my father, who was Out fifteen years her senior. She and her sisters had a a fun-loving set; they enjoyed going to dances, parties. She must have found my father too serious totoo much of a stay-at-home, happy making the morning butter or sorting through his stamps in very the evening. My mother told me later that he was very jealous, keeping her away from other men. And who wouldn't have been jealous? She was young, pretty vivacious-everyone looked twice at her! They were obviously incompatible. They should never have married, I suppose. In which case, of course, I would not be here, penning these memoirs.
There was 'A Little Friend' who ate bread crumbs, He was 'My Best Friend' in London because we both were the lonesomes.
He reminded me of my friends- our gang of four feathers, When we were in Simla and were the 'Boy Scouts Forever'.
Went into we jungle and tasted the 'Bitter Gooseberries', Whose 'Fragrance In The Air' was all over in the 'Garden of Memories'.
There was a 'Hill of Fairies' beside 'The Canal' 'The Good Earth' was calling us and our nostrils were smelling some royale.
There was a row of some odd cafes behind which was a 'Garden of a Thousand Trees', 'As a Boy' I was tempted to enter that bliss, and asked my pals, "Can we go there please?"
Our friend, the 'Boy in a Blue Pullover' entered 'In a Strange Cafè', and he walked slow, 'We Three' followed him and looked out for a perfect seat 'In search of the Perfect Window'.
'A New Flower' was blooming near, for which words of praise I have none, There were some lovely birds but I was waiting for the 'Return of The White Pigeon'.
The white pigeon was one among those I saw near 'Bhabhiji's House' where, I know, I always belong, That house in Delhi was the one where I found that for me 'Love's a Sad Song'.
Suddenly, there was the 'Monkey trouble' that broke my spell, And, I saw there were 'Miss Romola and Others', waiting for the breakfast bell.
And then there was 'A Knock at the Door' and 'Here Comes Mr. Oliver' He has 'The Eyes of the Eagle', so before he says something, we four saluted, "Good morning, sir!"
'Mr. Oliver's Diary' was opening to write down the names where he kept a bookmark, "You shouldn't be roaming far away from the camp," 'He said it with Arsenic', but suddenly we all heard a dog-bark.
There was 'The Black Cat' who had 'The Evil Eye', 'The Cat Has Something to Say' that made the dog bark and the 'White Mice' cry.
I thought 'If Mice Could Roar', the black cat would be frightened, And if 'The Elephant and the Cassowary Bird' could become best friends, grandfather's life would be brightened.
Grandfather's memory reminded me of the day when 'Grandfather Fights an Ostrich', The days were those when among 'Grandfather's Many Faces', there was the face of a Witch.
'Wilson's Bridge' was her home, Where she could freely roam.
'The Demon Driver' was grandfather's one more disguise, 'Simla and Delhi, 1943' were his favourite places where he was seen in his car, touching the skies.
The waiter brought a plate of royale, And to the memory land, I once again had a fall.
I remember my grandmother's words, 'Respect Your Breakfast' Her thoughts, written all over rhe kitchen walls, were nothing but her kitchen life's gist.
She was as active as a kid, climbing the walls and the trees, The thought of 'Granny's tree climbing' is what still makes me freeze.
I remember then our 'Escape from java', Me, my father, and uncle Ken eating all the way sour guava.
'Uncle Ken's Rumble in the Jungle' was a talk of the town, 'Uncle Ken's Feathered Foes' made him a king with a feather crown.
He detest all but 'The Parrot Who Wouldn't Talk', He pitied the 'Bird Life In The City' and to the wild he took his usual walk.
We finished the royale and came back to the Jungle, A tiger was there as frightened of us as we were of him, we took a few steps back and said, "Good dmDay to You, Uncle".
Memories are good, I love to go back in my past, Now I stay in Landour, where the life is not so fast.
'April in Landour' was the time when I came here, 'Reading Was My Religion' and I had nothing else to go anywhere.
I love the mountain strolls and my hill movements, Now I write about Uncles, Aunts and Elephants.
Superb book! My first read Ruskin Bond book and indeed become a fan of his beautiful writing. This book is actually a memoir of his life covering the various incidents during his boarding school holiday stay in his maternal grandparents' home in Dehra and many more from his latter part of life.
It has a huge collection of Ruskin bonds writings. The whole book is divided into three sections- Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry. My personal favorites are A little friends from Fiction, April in Landour from non-fiction and Love sad song from poetry section. It could be read by anyone and everyone.
Uncles, Aunts & Elephants is a selection of Bond's writings delicately divided into three main categories - poetry, prose and non-fiction.
As mentioned, this delightful book contains some of Bond's most well-written write-ups. It has about 20 fictional short-stories, 18 non-fiction writings and 10 poems. Not to mention, it has a wonderful foreword by Bond, too. Many a times, the foreword or introduction, given by the authors goes underappreciated. But this foreword surely deserves to be appreciated.
The stories and poems are just a delight to read. They are humorous, thought-provoking, delightful and heartwarming. They have the usual Ruskin Bond element which makes the story highly enjoyable. It is also accompanied by a few gorgeous illustrations.
Highly Recommended! A must have for all readers and non-readers alike!
A few of my favourite stories and poems are ~
Fiction • A Little Friend • The Black Cat • Monkey Trouble
Non-fiction • A Knock At The Door • Bird Life in the City • In Search of the Perfect Window • Respect Your Breakfast
Poetry • In a Strange Cafe • The Cat Has Something To Say
My first book of year 2025 and I have made the right choice to begin my year with. Ruskin Bond's way of story telling is very simple, heartwarming and takes you close to the nature. He has beautifully described the surrounding nature and characters in each story. How he narrated the characteristics of each bird, animal and flowers is very mesmerizing. It shows his deep knowledge and association with mother Earth.
This book is something you can read at all times and can be read by people of any age . Very soothing and pleasant read.
Through this book, Ruskin Bond continues to entertain thousands of children across India. This book is a typical Ruskin Bond book, filled with fun and enjoyement which will leave you satisfied but at the same time, craving for more. The book also posesses a hint of innocence and is very soothing and relaxing. It also transports the reader to a whole new world altogether.
Was a pleasure reading this. One of the best collections of Ruskin Bond's works. Ruskin Bond never fails to invoke a romanticism for the simpler life and a yearning for the mountains.
" A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men."
This book fully satisfies this quote. This book is the kind of book you read just for the sake of fun. Innocence is the best thing I find in Ruskin Bond's books and it is present in almost all his books. Reading his books soothes your mind. Whenever you need a little break from the hustle bustle of the city you can pick up any of his book and start reading...soon you will be carried into the small towns of the mountains where there is no hurry, no tension...just simple life which is so beautiful in its own that for a moment you would'nt want to return. Uncles, aunts and elephants contain everything I've just said.
What can I say? It's Ruskin Bond. The stories, poems and illustrations are just beautiful. Everything is simple and innocent. As a child I would believe that forests and mountains were magical. I am feeling that was all over again. I just can't get enough of Mr. Bond. This a 2014 publication but I really wish it was around when my grandfather was alive, he would loved it!