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The Railway Gang
Ruskin Bond, one of India’s most-loved writers has been charming kids with his simple captivating stories. ‘The Railway Gang’ – a story by Ruskin Bond is an entertaining story revolving around trains, railway platforms, and stray dogs! Written in kid-friendly language, supported with beautiful illustrations this story of a small dog and his friends is fun to read.
48 pages, Paperback
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43 people want to read
About the author
Ruskin Bond
680 books3,563 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 6, 2022
A story about how the street dogs at the railway station survive.
I find the story quite good and this is such a huge improvement from all the children's storybooks by an Indian author. Of course, it's the one and only Ruskin Bond. But I am so happy to see such books paving a way on for the younger generation of authors and artists.
I find the story quite good and this is such a huge improvement from all the children's storybooks by an Indian author. Of course, it's the one and only Ruskin Bond. But I am so happy to see such books paving a way on for the younger generation of authors and artists.
May 1, 2021
I'm not an animal person. Then why I am going to write about a book about dogs? Okay, there's a reason, and you'll come to know after my story.
Yes, I am not very fond of dogs. I mean, I like them, but from far away. Petting a dog is out of the question for me. I was brought up in a family where we never had any pets. So, my inclination for dogs was equal to zero. Or, better, there never were any thoughts about dogs. In fact, I always was (and still is) afraid of dogs. My friends and relatives, who have a pet, know that it is impossible to let me inside their house without letting the dog away for a while. There are a couple of incidents when the dog suddenly entered the room. And then I perfectly showed my high-jump and shouting skills. I have created a lot of scenes while encountering dogs. I feel ashamed of myself while going to write the next sentence. 'I am afraid of pups too.' But all of this doesn't mean I hate dogs or am a heartless person or a coward. I never appreciate anyone bullying a dog. I even can't tolerate anyone being unkind to animals. As far as, I have come to know about my take on dogs, I have found myself to be a compassionate person towards animals.
My uncle, whose house is in the immediate neighbourhood of our house, is keeping pet dogs for many years. The pet is mostly on the terrace of their house and is separated from our terrace by a low wall. Whenever they are out of town, I feed the dog with bread and milk. Once, they were away for long. I found it insufficient to only feed the pet. What I felt, was that the pet needed love and caressing. But I was afraid to go on their side of the terrace and fondle the pet. The only way out was chatting with the dog from my side of the terrace. I knew he couldn't understand what I was saying, but it gave me relief to have given a company to him for a while. I did it thrice a day while giving him his meal. Those days, spent with the pet, made me understand them more. This happened about six years ago. After that, they never had any pet. But in the last month of 2020, they adopted a puppy of one stray dog. Her name was Joey. She was very cute but was always barking whenever she saw someone other than the family members. It seemed that she was furious at someone breaking into her territory. I tried to talk to her from my terrace, but every time she kept on barking. So, I stopped responding to her barks and tried not to go in front of her. Once, the family had to go out of town for a day, without informing anyone. As I went on the terrace, I realised that her barks were of a different kind. She was not barking furiously. It was a bark full of sorrow. As soon as I found out that no one is at home since morning, I realized that she was feeling lonely. I went near her and tried to talk, but she was afraid of me, and she ran away to the other side of the terrace. I gave her bread and milk. She hesitated for a moment, but the hunger overpowered her fear and she finished her meal in no time. Then I chatted with her in baby language, and she was not barking, on seeing me in front of her, for the first time in three months. Instead, she was cooing. I felt an affection for her and my eyes were filled with tears of compassion. Later that night, after having a phone call from the family about being unable to come back that day, I went to the terrace to give her dinner. She came running towards me but refused to eat anything. I tried my best, but couldn't succeed in making her eat her meal. She was alone for the first time since her birth and was missing her housemates. That's why she was more interested in company than the meal. After some time, after some failed attempts to convince her to have her meal, I came back to my room. The next morning, I found the meal uneaten. I told my brother about this. He was more tolerant of pets. He then went to their side of the terrace, petted her, hugged her, tried to make her eat the freshly brought meal, but her eyes were full of tears. She refused to eat anything. We were heartbroken about seeing her sad. But we couldn't do anything about it. When the family came back in the afternoon, only then she had her meal after being near them for a while. Those two days changed my whole perspective about dogs. My brother and I made a point to feed her at least once a day, no matter she is having meals given by the family. And, from then on her behaviour towards us changed. She started waiting for us to come on the terrace every evening, and she never barked. Once I started walking on the terrace after giving her bread, and she walked along with me whole the time on her side of the terrace. I started to like her company as much as she liked mine. A few days ago, the family had to give her away to someone else. I know, she must be happy wherever she is, but I miss her running towards me every evening. She is the reason that I started reading books about dogs.
Coming to the book now. The Railway gang is the story of the cutest gang of dogs, the loveliest among whom is Chhotu. It is a little story of some stray dogs trying to survive in hope of a little care and some food. The story makes you think that how these homeless creatures get together as an extended family and make themselves at home with the surroundings. They make some random place their permanent home and they come back to it no matter how harsh the conditions are. This story takes your attention towards the difficulty in survival for them in the changing conditions. But they are the noblest creatures on this earth. They find a speck of love among the piles of hatred and are happy always.
Whether you are an animal lover, or not, you're definitely going to love this colourfully illustrated story.
Yes, I am not very fond of dogs. I mean, I like them, but from far away. Petting a dog is out of the question for me. I was brought up in a family where we never had any pets. So, my inclination for dogs was equal to zero. Or, better, there never were any thoughts about dogs. In fact, I always was (and still is) afraid of dogs. My friends and relatives, who have a pet, know that it is impossible to let me inside their house without letting the dog away for a while. There are a couple of incidents when the dog suddenly entered the room. And then I perfectly showed my high-jump and shouting skills. I have created a lot of scenes while encountering dogs. I feel ashamed of myself while going to write the next sentence. 'I am afraid of pups too.' But all of this doesn't mean I hate dogs or am a heartless person or a coward. I never appreciate anyone bullying a dog. I even can't tolerate anyone being unkind to animals. As far as, I have come to know about my take on dogs, I have found myself to be a compassionate person towards animals.
My uncle, whose house is in the immediate neighbourhood of our house, is keeping pet dogs for many years. The pet is mostly on the terrace of their house and is separated from our terrace by a low wall. Whenever they are out of town, I feed the dog with bread and milk. Once, they were away for long. I found it insufficient to only feed the pet. What I felt, was that the pet needed love and caressing. But I was afraid to go on their side of the terrace and fondle the pet. The only way out was chatting with the dog from my side of the terrace. I knew he couldn't understand what I was saying, but it gave me relief to have given a company to him for a while. I did it thrice a day while giving him his meal. Those days, spent with the pet, made me understand them more. This happened about six years ago. After that, they never had any pet. But in the last month of 2020, they adopted a puppy of one stray dog. Her name was Joey. She was very cute but was always barking whenever she saw someone other than the family members. It seemed that she was furious at someone breaking into her territory. I tried to talk to her from my terrace, but every time she kept on barking. So, I stopped responding to her barks and tried not to go in front of her. Once, the family had to go out of town for a day, without informing anyone. As I went on the terrace, I realised that her barks were of a different kind. She was not barking furiously. It was a bark full of sorrow. As soon as I found out that no one is at home since morning, I realized that she was feeling lonely. I went near her and tried to talk, but she was afraid of me, and she ran away to the other side of the terrace. I gave her bread and milk. She hesitated for a moment, but the hunger overpowered her fear and she finished her meal in no time. Then I chatted with her in baby language, and she was not barking, on seeing me in front of her, for the first time in three months. Instead, she was cooing. I felt an affection for her and my eyes were filled with tears of compassion. Later that night, after having a phone call from the family about being unable to come back that day, I went to the terrace to give her dinner. She came running towards me but refused to eat anything. I tried my best, but couldn't succeed in making her eat her meal. She was alone for the first time since her birth and was missing her housemates. That's why she was more interested in company than the meal. After some time, after some failed attempts to convince her to have her meal, I came back to my room. The next morning, I found the meal uneaten. I told my brother about this. He was more tolerant of pets. He then went to their side of the terrace, petted her, hugged her, tried to make her eat the freshly brought meal, but her eyes were full of tears. She refused to eat anything. We were heartbroken about seeing her sad. But we couldn't do anything about it. When the family came back in the afternoon, only then she had her meal after being near them for a while. Those two days changed my whole perspective about dogs. My brother and I made a point to feed her at least once a day, no matter she is having meals given by the family. And, from then on her behaviour towards us changed. She started waiting for us to come on the terrace every evening, and she never barked. Once I started walking on the terrace after giving her bread, and she walked along with me whole the time on her side of the terrace. I started to like her company as much as she liked mine. A few days ago, the family had to give her away to someone else. I know, she must be happy wherever she is, but I miss her running towards me every evening. She is the reason that I started reading books about dogs.
Coming to the book now. The Railway gang is the story of the cutest gang of dogs, the loveliest among whom is Chhotu. It is a little story of some stray dogs trying to survive in hope of a little care and some food. The story makes you think that how these homeless creatures get together as an extended family and make themselves at home with the surroundings. They make some random place their permanent home and they come back to it no matter how harsh the conditions are. This story takes your attention towards the difficulty in survival for them in the changing conditions. But they are the noblest creatures on this earth. They find a speck of love among the piles of hatred and are happy always.
Whether you are an animal lover, or not, you're definitely going to love this colourfully illustrated story.
May 27, 2022
Great illustrations , engaging stroy telling
Only Ruskin can express an animal's 🐕 emotions in such an attaching way.
Living in childhood again. Although this book is best read on big screen devices and not fit on Kindle devices due to colourful content.
Only Ruskin can express an animal's 🐕 emotions in such an attaching way.
Living in childhood again. Although this book is best read on big screen devices and not fit on Kindle devices due to colourful content.
December 11, 2021
OH MY GOD!!!! SUCH A CUTE STORY.....and there so many title things to think about...
1. Most importantly we shouldn't do anything that would result in detaching a stray from his/her "HOME".
2. Give them something to eat, pat them or talk to them...but we should refrain from doing anything that would make them confused.
3. Overall It is a really sweet story depicting the life of a gang of stray dogs....in this story it may seem their life really sweet and simple, we all know it is also difficult for them but alteast they are happy where they are...So if we can't make their life easy atleast we should refrain of doing something that would cost their home and happiness.
I think the basic thing the children (and adults both) should need to understand from the beginning is if you want to take in a stray(or any pet) you can't leave him/her when you lost your interest.....Also they should not pick any animal without proper preparations, adult guidance and last but not the least if they really want to give them a forever "HOME" with love and care because not every CHOTU is lucky enough to find his friend to bring him back to "HOME".
1. Most importantly we shouldn't do anything that would result in detaching a stray from his/her "HOME".
2. Give them something to eat, pat them or talk to them...but we should refrain from doing anything that would make them confused.
3. Overall It is a really sweet story depicting the life of a gang of stray dogs....in this story it may seem their life really sweet and simple, we all know it is also difficult for them but alteast they are happy where they are...So if we can't make their life easy atleast we should refrain of doing something that would cost their home and happiness.
I think the basic thing the children (and adults both) should need to understand from the beginning is if you want to take in a stray(or any pet) you can't leave him/her when you lost your interest.....Also they should not pick any animal without proper preparations, adult guidance and last but not the least if they really want to give them a forever "HOME" with love and care because not every CHOTU is lucky enough to find his friend to bring him back to "HOME".
February 6, 2023
This book is written by Ruskin Bond who is my favorite children's book author. This book is about a dog named Chotu and his life on the railway platform. The story reminds us of warmth of home and friends as chotu is lost and is trying to find his way back home. does he succeed and how forms the end of the story.
December 31, 2022
Such a heartwarming story. Even though it's a children's book, I believe many lessons could be learnt from them and they always put you in such a good mood. I love street dogs and stories like these generates empathy and love towards them.I absolutely love the illustrations and reading it somehow made me felt light hearted.
May 25, 2021
Good Children'sbook
Nice story for a child. And in the did the idea of homecoming is also stressed into own way. This should be a good point for the childten
Nice story for a child. And in the did the idea of homecoming is also stressed into own way. This should be a good point for the childten
December 30, 2022
Very beautifully written . A different kind of story from the author.
Pictorially represented well . It keeps you glued .
Pictorially represented well . It keeps you glued .
January 31, 2023
A quick fun read.
March 23, 2023
A short story which is very much relatable to kids who used to travel in trains.
December 16, 2024
Love it
Loved the illustration
Loved the reality of the illustration
Illustrations are soooo easy to understand and the depiction is just perfect.
Loved the illustration
Loved the reality of the illustration
Illustrations are soooo easy to understand and the depiction is just perfect.
May 25, 2022
Nothing to match Indies
If you love dogs, particularly Indies, you will love this. Delightful story of the dogs that trong out railway stations.
If you love dogs, particularly Indies, you will love this. Delightful story of the dogs that trong out railway stations.
March 17, 2023
I am a bit scared of stray dogs and never imagined how life is for them.
I loved this book. It is about a cute dog Chotu who lives at a railway station. It shows the life of Chotu and his group of dog friends at the railway station, how they find food and how people treat them. It was interesting to read a story from a dog's perspective, how they feel when people care for them, or just shoo them away.
Definitely, a good read for early learners to teach empathy towards stray animals.
For more such reviews visit - www.penitratherkeyit.com
I loved this book. It is about a cute dog Chotu who lives at a railway station. It shows the life of Chotu and his group of dog friends at the railway station, how they find food and how people treat them. It was interesting to read a story from a dog's perspective, how they feel when people care for them, or just shoo them away.
Definitely, a good read for early learners to teach empathy towards stray animals.
For more such reviews visit - www.penitratherkeyit.com
May 2, 2021
This one is different from the master storyteller's other stories. This time Ruskin Bond writes about stray dogs on railway platforms.
May 23, 2021
The story is about Chotu ,the stray dog who took into and ends up far away from home and friends.Will he find his way back ? Quickly read this book and enjoy yourself
June 9, 2021
A sweet, simple and well-written short story by India’s favourite storyteller. The illustrations are the best out of all the Ruskin Bond books thus far.
June 25, 2021
Loved it , beautifully written and illustrated .
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews