It was one of those magical evenings when the sky wore a soft cloak of bright stars, the cool summer breeze stirred, and we walked aimlessly into a quaint shop called Cakes and Pastries. The shop, though simple, was filled with a special kind of warmth. The sweet smell of freshly baked bread, the enticing aroma of chocolates, and the quiet allure of neatly stacked books created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who entered. This little shop specialised in instant cake mixes, promising delicious treats in just twenty minutes. Though it was entirely vegetarian, a small area served sandwiches and fast food, attracting those with a sweet tooth and those craving savoury snacks. In one corner, a weathered writing board stood, ready for thoughts and feelings to be shared. It was Mother’s Day, and the board in the shop had displayed a touching Mother’s Day poem “To a special mom. You hug me when I am sad, You cheer me on when I am glad…” These words struck a chord in me, reminding me o...
“What one loves in childhood stays in their heart forever.” — Mary Jo Putney Whenever I read Ruskin Bond’s books, I feel a surge of enthusiasm to express my thoughts. His simple writing style, especially while describing sunsets and everyday occurrences, makes his work magical and interesting. Bond prefers writing with a pen and has never used email. During my research, I tried to find his email address, but eventually received his home address from Rupa Publications. I wrote a lengthy, handwritten letter using a gel pen to inform him about my research. Bond’s love to write with an ink pen hurled me back into my childhood. As a child, I wrote with an ink pen. Although we had ballpoint pens, the school teachers insisted that we use ink pens. These ink pens in those days were thick; they were designed with a large hollow space to hold lots of ink. I kept mine in a Camlin pencil box, which was the most popular instrument box back then. Later on, other brands emerged, introducing attractiv...