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Stories to Live By
Whether by accident or design, We are here. Let’s make the most of it, my friend. Make happiness our pursuit, Spread a little sunshine here and there.’ Whether it is during our school days, in adulthood or even in old age, our life is nothing but a sum of memories we’ve created with people. These memories, whether good or bad, hold the power to make us feel joy, love or grief—all of which makes us human. Stories to Live By brings you some loving and endearing stories which are sure to take you down memory lane. Indulge in the simple and wholesome charm of Ruskin Bond’s prose through this collection of tales that involves recollections of fun times with school friends, one-time meets with intriguing strangers and memories of times spent with one’s family.
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The Hoopoe On The Lawn
From the master storyteller comes a wonderful new tale about friendship, eccentric relatives, ghosts, nature, and the enduring magic of childhood. Ruskin is eleven years old and visiting his granny’s home in Dehra during his winter holidays. Follow along as he takes you through the many things he experiences during his time there—a mischievous ghost hiding in an old peepul tree, delicious baked treats enclosed within a magic box, a man with a tin box containing odd knick-knacks, uncomfortable yet exciting tonga rides, surprising run-ins with Quit India protestors, the warm company of old Miss Kellner, pretty weeds that he calls ‘Purple Hearts’, and much else besides. Punctuating all these happenings is the hoopoe, a little bird with an attractive hairdo, which appears in granny’s garden at 3 p.m. every day, much to Ruskin’s delight. In The Hoopoe on the Lawn, Ruskin Bond weaves together a story of the joys of unexpected friendships, the beauty of nature, and the simple pleasures of being young.
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Kabuliwallah
Embark on a touching journey through the lively streets of Calcutta in Rabindranath Tagore’s Kabuliwallah, one of India’s bestloved children’s stories. Mini, a curious five-year-old, fills her father’s world with questions and laughter. Enter Rahmat, the Kabuliwallah, a stranger from Afghanistan hawking dry fruits from door to door. When he arrives at Mini’s house, Rahmat is captivated by her as she reminds him of his own daughter. This is the story of the heart-warming friendship that develops between the two—and the unbreakable bond that exists between fathers and daughters. Beautifully translated from the Bengali by Arunava Sinha, this classic tale, enriched with imaginative illustrations, brings to life the poignant story of Mini and the Kabuliwallah. Join them as they prove friendships can blossom in the most unexpected places, leaving a lasting imprint on the heart.
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The Tiger King
Free Delivery Free Delivery 10 days Replacement 10 days Replacement Amazon Delivered Amazon Delivered Pay on Delivery Pay on Delivery Secure transaction Secure transaction His Highness Jamedar-General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, Maharajadhiraja Visva Bhuvana Samrat, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K.—the illustrious Tiger King—is born under an unlucky star, and is destined to die in the jaws of a tiger. Refusing to succumb to fate, the king embarks on a quest to defy destiny by eliminating every tiger in his path, vowing to stop at nothing until he reaches the fateful hundredth kill. A satirical masterpiece, Kalki’s The Tiger King invites readers on a journey through the whimsical corridors of Pratibandapuram where titles are as abundant as the Maharaja’s ambition. The Maharaja’s quest for a hundred tiger kills takes a delightfully absurd turn, complete with prophetic astrologers, an innocent wooden toy, and a twist that leaves the Maharaja’s ego deflated. Expertly translated from the Tamil by Gowri Ramnarayan and delightfully illustrated throughout, The Tiger King is an entertaining and thought-provoking story of royal folly, showcasing Kalki’s sharp wit and humour.
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ABC of Hinduism for kids
A for…atma! B for…Brahma! C for…caste! Renowned mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik reimagines a Hindu way for young readers. Covering everything from major Hindu deities such as Brahma, the creator of the universe, and Devi, the powerful goddess who takes many forms, to complicated ideas of atma and the caste system, this book explores twenty-six ideas and figures from Hindu myth, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. With its simple writing style and fun, colourful illustrations, ABC of Hinduism for Kids is the perfect introduction to a Hindu way of life for your little ones.
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The Great Train Journey
The first time I saw a train, I was standing on a wooded slope outside a tunnel, not far from Kalka. Suddenly, with a shrill whistle and great burst of steam, a green and black engine came snorting out of the blackness.. “A dragon!” I shouted. “There’s a dragon coming out of its cave!”’The charm of travelling by a train as it speeds its way out of a tunnel or a jungle and passes through nondescript villages and towns is unmatched. There also exists a joyful curiosity in unfolding the mysterious lives and destinations of its passengers.Ruskin Bond has been writing tales about the hinterland for decades, but this is the first time his stories revolving around trains and railway stations of small-town India have been brought together in a single collection. Classics such as ‘The Eyes Have It’ and ‘The Night Train at Deoli’ rub shoulders with tales of big cats taking refuge in railway tunnels and strangers who strike up a friendship while waiting at a platform.So, hop on and allow one of India’s greatest storytellers to steer you through the Great Train Journey.
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My Trees In The Himalayas
‘I am fortunate to have a big window that opens out on the forest so that the trees are almost within my reach. If I jumped, I could land quite neatly in the arms of an oak or horse chestnut... These great trees of the mountains, I feel they know me well, as I watch them and listen to their secrets, happy to rest my head beneath their outstretched arms.’It is Christmas time and a poor couple struggle to buy each other gifts. A wealthy lawyer encounters a ragged beggar and tries to set him on the right path. A little boy’s grief on realizing that he will never be able to speak his mother tongue again after his country is invaded by another. A happy story, revolving around a mere folder, set in the lobby of a fashionable hotel. The evergreen story of the nightingale who sacrificed herself for a rose. Selected and compiled by Ruskin Bond, this is a collection of stories from writers like O. Henry, Saki, Oscar Wilde, Anton Chekov, Alphonse Daudet and others.Full of moments that range from joyous to heart-breaking, My Trees in the Himalayas will leave you mesmerized with its tales of the simple joys of life.
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Mysterious Tales From The Hills
‘Intuition must be a family trait, because it came to me quite suddenly—the thought that Uncle Bill might be intending to poison me.’ The unknown is often something that piques the interest of a reader and a traveller. While legends and myths are universally liked, it is the tales of the locals that are rich in mystery and intrigue. These are the stories that add to the charm of the town and attract people from all walks of life. It could be anything—a local unsolved murder, a disappearance, a case of poisoning or unknown swamp creatures—Mysterious Tales from the Hills has something for everyone. If you have a healthy appetite for horror, a little spookiness and a whole lot of wonder, this book is for you!