The Woman On Platform No. 8 by Ruskin Bond

summary

The Woman On Platform No. 8

summary

Introduction: The Woman On Platform No. 8 written by Ruskin Bond, is an interesting story. He is an Indian author of British descent. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award and was awarded, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He has written several novels, short stories, and books for children.

Context: The Woman on Platform No.8 by Ruskin Bond is a story about love and affection that transcends all barriers of Kinship. It is narrated in the first person by a schoolboy named “Arun”. It narrates the experience of a young boy.

Explanation: Arun is a twelve-year boy studying in a boarding school. He is confident and independent and is not afraid to travel alone at midnight. When Arun is sitting on platform number 8 at Ambala Station for the northern Bound train. He meets a woman in a white sari on the platform. Though he is suspicious of the woman, he notices her sadness, her soft voice kindness and concern make him trust her.

She takes him into the station dining room and orders tea, samosas, and jalebis. At once he begins to take interest in the women. He relaxes and shares all his details with her. He responses to the care and affection showers on him.

After eating they both go back to station No 8. To his delight, his school friend Satish, a boy about his age, is in the station with his mother. Satish’s mother thinks that the woman in the white sari was Arun’s mother. Satish mother’s advises Arun not to talk to strangers.
She says that they are so many dishonest people in the world, she warns him to be very careful about strangers and never to talk to them. She advises Arun’s supposed mother to watch her children carefully or they will walk straight into trouble Arun stared resentfully at her and Satish who was behind his mother smiled at Arun in approval of Arun’s honesty.

Arun does not like Satish mother’s behavior. She considers Arun and the woman in white Sari to be from a poor family. When Arun gets in to train, the woman smiles at him in a gentle and understanding way. Arun leans out of the window and kisses her cheeks. Arun said, “Goodbye, Mother…” and watched until he could see her no more.

Conclusion:  Arun’s calling her mother at the time of parting is a sweet gesture of recognition of a loving and relationship