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Last week I read The Best of Ruskin Bond and was once again left marveling at the simplicity of the author’s narrative style. There is nothing as refreshing as simplicity in telling a tale and Mr. Bond has mastered the art. His writing is like smoothly flowing water, so soothing that any restlessness in you is replaced by a gentle calm on reading him.
It is not just in writing, I am a huge fan of the simple, the straightforward, the upfront in general. Life is so much more simpler when you don’t have to (Or feel the need to!) match your earrings to your kameez or your footwear to your dress. It is even more easier when you are who you are, say what you mean and stick to the truth. You are saved the trouble of remembering to choose the right persona/mask for the different people and/or occasions.
Years back as young girls, when it was time for us to leave school, we wrote in each others autograph books. The books were the size of an adult palm, with plastic covers and multi-colored pages, predecessors of the more sophisticated slam books of today. One of my classmates, whose name I have forgotten, but whose face is still fresh in my memory, had scribbled in my book: ‘Think highly/Live plainly/Love truly”. I don’t know if I have followed the first, and sincerely hope I am still doing the last. But, what I DO know is I have certainly lived the second one in more ways than one.
When the L & M (for the newbies, that’s short for Lord & Master) came to *see* me [link], that quaint custom associated with an arranged marriage, what he said to his family after the occasion was,”I love her simplicity.” You see, I hadn’t followed the Bollywood style of decking up for the occasion, silks, ornaments and all, as was done commonly by aspiring-brides-to-be those days, and to a considerable extent in the present too. But, let me hasten to add, this certainly does NOT mean I am against ‘dolling up’ by those who wish to. Their life, their wishes.
Long back, I mentioned in a post on things about myself’ (Please note that I just said ‘a post on things about myself’) that I do not like using makeup. I am too lazy, anyway. So there was this fellow blogger who on reading it told a common friend, “Omg! Do you think she dislikes us because we use makeup?” Frankly speaking I have never heard anything sillier in my life. How exactly do my choices in life have anything to do with her or vice versa, unless of course we were forcing our choices on each other. Then it might warrant a few stern words or in extreme cases, a punch right on the nose that pokes.
Gosh. Look where I started and where I have landed. The simplicity of Ruskin Bond’s writing style and straight to punching people on the nose. And that too when I have been saying what a calming effect his books have! I better go and pick up another book of his to read 😉
©Shail Mohan 2015
Shail's Nest 
Ruskin Bond is my favourite too:) Simple and beautiful. Thanks:)
Thanks for your comment 🙂
She likes Bond — Ruskin Bond
Of simplicity, she’s very fond
Unmatched outfits
Don’t give her fits
But forced choices will see her horned!
Haha. Well put, Gulshan, though I am not surprised! 😀 By the way, I like the other Bond too 😛
Simplicity is the way of life.. truly said. 🙂 I try to be simple, and it is way too hard for me. I get influenced and get vulnerable very quickly. That I’m trying to get away with.
I never laid hands on Ruskin Bond books .. any book that you suggest to start with?
I think somewhere in our minds we think we should follow the ways of the world. Once we overcome that, it is easier to be ourselves. Well, it is fine to not be simple too, if that is what you like. 🙂
The book I have mentioned above is a good one with samples of his writings, short stories, essays, poems etc. Are you on Goodreads?
Yes, I am on good reads. I will definitely pick one of the Ruskin Bond books and read it. 🙂
I loved the straight and simple writing that you do Shail 🙂
Aww, thanks Scribby 😀
I love Ruskin Bond and his writing.
I love what you write too..
I don’t remember where I have kept my slam book.
I have lost mine or else I’d have posted a picture! Anyway it was back in the dinosaur age, sort of 😛
And thank you. I am honored 🙂
Ruskin Bond is an eternal favorite. The simplicity in his writing is simply amazing.
hahahah!! But that’s what I like about you, Shail, that you have the ability of weaving a story to reach from one point to a completely different one!
Yes, it is silly that just because someone doesn’t like doing something, that translates to no one else should be allowed to do it! Funny!!
Really, I went 😮 when I heard it. And yes, I do meander from one thing to another to another 😛
only story of Ruskin bond i read is ” Woman on platform no.8″. it was a lesson in my english text book during my school days.. I agree simple things are more attractive.. let it be writing, painting or anything for that matter..
Now i will have to check that story! 🙂
I love how you are admired to be simple. I too am simple in most cases, though my mom likes to nag how I should be more ‘fashionable’ and be like a model lol. . Not a bad thing either. Just that people have their own tastes and preferences Some people may be more than simple and that’s OK too. To each their own !
Btw, never heard of Ruskin Bond, but will look him up and perhaps read his works 🙂
Hope you get Ruskin Bond, soon 🙂
being simple most of the times is not easy as it sounds; we tend to get vulnerable to the materialistic ways of life today’s world bombards us with. But then if we are at peace with what we are and don’t feel the need to get that nod of approval from others every other time, we are sure to reach that zen in life.