An excerpt from Roads to Mussoorie, the book I got in India, authored by one of my favourite writers, Ruskin Bond.
At seventy-one (my age, not Victor’s), it is time to look forward, not backward, and one should not dwell too much on the past but prepare oneself to make the most of whatever time is left to us on this fascinating planet. That is why I called my Foreword a Backward, and this epilogue a Forward – for forward we must march, whatever our age or declining physical prowess. Life always has got something new to offer.
And this is the concluding paragraph in the book,
The butterfly has gone, and the sunshine beckons. It’s been a long hard winter in the hills. But the chestnut trees are coming into new leaf, and that’s good enough for me. I have never been a fast walker, or a conqueror of mountain peaks, but I can plod along for miles. And that’s what I have been doing all my life – plodding along, singing my song, telling my tales in my own unhurried way. I have lived life at my own gentle pace, and if as a result I have failed to get to the top of the mountain (or of anything else), it doesn’t matter, the long walk has brought its own sweet rewards; buttercups and butterflies along the way.
rileen says:
A lot of grace in there.
August 25, 2006 — 6:29 am
Lakshmi says:
Totally.
August 25, 2006 — 6:24 pm
sumthn2say says:
Lovely lovely lovely.
I recently read Delhi is not Far by RB. Great book. So simple, unimportant issues, but very elegant.
August 25, 2006 — 10:06 am
Lakshmi says:
Yeah, I have read that one. I love his style of writing – observant, earnest and sincere.
August 25, 2006 — 6:24 pm
ragh_dr says:
RB’s writings exude a rare warmth.
That was a fantastic conclusion, have to read this one.
August 25, 2006 — 10:43 am
Lakshmi says:
This is a new one, I believe. Seems like a compilation of incidents from his life in the hills.
August 25, 2006 — 6:25 pm
sthira says:
Beautiful, that last paragrapgh you quoted.
August 25, 2006 — 12:19 pm
Lakshmi says:
Yes, it nearly moved me to tears when I first read it.
August 25, 2006 — 6:25 pm
sat_chit_anand says:
whenever life gets complicated
My Master once said something along these lines “Whenever life gets complicated, when relationships get difficult to handle, take a walk through nature and you will realize there is so much of beauty in creation.” RB’s writing illustrates this like no one else. He and RK Narayan are my favs. I dont think I understand any other more complicated writing. Especially with RB I share the love for the hills. Can you beleive that RB actually started out as a writer of romantic stories for grown ups?
August 25, 2006 — 1:00 pm
Lakshmi says:
Re: whenever life gets complicated
That’s what I like about his writing – the sense of awe and wonder he derives from this creation. This feeling keeps you forever young and curious – best antidote to old age!
August 25, 2006 — 6:27 pm
dunefield says:
I read so many of his short stories in school textbooks that I got addicted to his writing at one point in time. This is a very typical RB book, though,a lot of the writing in this book is similar to R.K Narayan. I don’t know how much you have read Ruskin but his books can be divided into two phases, like Led Zeppelin songs, the earlier days and the latter days. You should read his notes from the Himlayas, diary written in true lyrical fashion.
August 25, 2006 — 3:17 pm
Lakshmi says:
I have his omnibus that includes A Flight of Pigeons and Delhi is not Far among other lesser known works. Not sure if I have read Notes from the Himalayas. Should check.
August 25, 2006 — 6:28 pm