“I thought I heard voices in the wind; and perhaps I did. For isn’t the wind the voice of the undying dead?” ~ R. Bond, Listen to the Wind
Once my classmate asked me, “What makes you read a horror story? How can you find ‘horror’ so likable?” I tried to explain, in vain, my fascination to her, back then. Maybe, I will do a better job now. The genre of horror gives me a rush of adrenaline, a prick of fear, and a sense of achievement – I witnessed a story which scared me, and yet I know, it’s just a story! I will believe in the supernatural when I see/experience it. Reading a story based on the supernatural also unlocks hidden potential of the human brain - to imagine that which you haven’t really seen, to hear that which you haven’t heard and to feel your body go numb with fear.
A solitary individual… a dark road passing through a forest… leaves rustling in the whining wind… the howling of a werewolf… these age-old ingredients definitely help writers concoct a potion to make your eyes go wide and break into a cold sweat. But very few writers, Ruskin Bond being at the top of this list, manage to give you the heebie-jeebies in broad daylight surrounded by people.
Ruskin Bond once famously remarked that while he does not believe in ghosts, he sees them all the time – in the woods, in a bar, in a crowd outside a cinema… he makes the supernatural appear entirely natural, and therefore hard to ignore. He presents the story in the form of facts rather than folklore, uses a simple style of writing - quite often using the first person, and sets the reader at ease. This deceptive sense of ease is what jolts you out of your chair when you read something totally unexpected.
Here’s my list of top 10 Ruskin Bond stories you should definitely read –
Number 10: Susanna’s Seven Husbands
Like most of Bond’s characters, Susanna has some unfinished business, it is said. Susanna is a beautiful wealthy woman who is searching for a companion, a husband who will love her and not the treasures in her cellar. What does she do when he fails to prove himself? It is rumoured that Susanna does away with her husbands in the most mysterious circumstances. Is she finally at peace in death? Read the story to find out more. You could watch the Bollywood movie ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ but that won’t give you the real end to the story.
Number 09: Something in the Water
Imagine that you chance upon a beautiful little pond in a sal forest on a hot day. Would you feel tempted to jump into the pond? Would you dip your feet and enjoy the cool water? If your answer is yes, think twice for you won’t rejoice! Something sinister lives in this pool, it is waiting for you with its ice-cold grip…
Number 08: The Monkeys
Who says that ghosts or spirits have to be humans come back from the dead? Ruskin Bond narrates a story where animal spirits can be seen following their routine as if they weren’t dead already! This story gives us a glimpse into the dark world of human cruelty towards animals and what happens when, occasionally, the animal kingdom realises that vengeance is indeed very sweet!
Number 07: The Black Cat
It is said that if a black cat crosses your path, it is an ill omen... you must not continue on the path. But have you ever noticed a black cat with an almost spiritual connection with an old-fashioned broom? A black cat, a long-handled broom and an old woman in a long cloak…you probably guessed what this story is about.
Number 06: The Family Ghost
The title of the story suggests that the ghost is almost like a family member…well, this munjia has certainly adopted a family of brahmins. We believe the supernatural to be more powerful than us. However, read this story to find out how an idiot outwits the munjia and lives happily ever after.
Number 05: The Vision and Number 04: Whistling in the Dark
Generally, we consider emanations from the supernatural to be evil or dark. Bond writes about his encounters with two benevolent and kindred spirits in the stories ‘The Vision’ and ‘Whistling in the Dark’. Does the writer really see them? Or are they the manifestations conjured up by his mind? One thing is true for sure, Bond believes the spirits have saved him a few times.
Number 03: Wilson’s Bridge
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned... be it a woman in human form or a spirit. ‘Wilson’s Bridge’ is the story of Gulabi, a young helpless woman abandoned by her British husband, Wilson. Her anguish can be felt by the townsfolk, years after she is dead…with catastrophic consequences!
Number 02: Whispering in the Dark
Sometimes, you feel terrible things happening to yourself, only to realise that you were dreaming. Was it really a figment of your imagination? Could it somehow be true?
As you grow up, you often disregard scary stories you heard as children. If someone warned you about a house where men were murdered, your twisted human mind tempts you to go and explore the house. Well, the character in this story has learnt his lesson… he will never go looking for that old house again!
Number 01: A Face in the Dark
One of the shortest and most popular horror stories of all times, ‘A Face in the Dark’ proves Ruskin Bond’s prowess as a writer.
I have often heard people, myself included, say, “I will believe in ghosts when I meet one!” Mr. Oliver is a teacher; he is neither a nervous nor an imaginative man. He isn’t afraid of anything. Well folks, his story is about to change…
One evening when Mr. Oliver comes across a schoolboy crying in the forest after hours, he stops to scold the boy. When the boy looks up, a tremor runs through Mr. Oliver’s body…He is now terrified of this face… A Face in the Dark!
Which story sounds the scariest of them all? Do post your replies in the comments. Happy Halloween to all!
-Apoorva Apte
Faculty, ELTIS