The Woman on Platform 8
The Woman on Platform 8 by Ruskin Bond[1][2] 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.[3] All the events are seen from his point of view.
The story revolves around Arun's encounter with a stranger - a mysterious woman. The woman in a white saree treats him like a son. She offers him tea and samosa . She helps him feel comfortable. Her dignity and humanity come in sharp contrast with the vanity and arrogance of Satish's mother. Arun's calling her 'mother' at the time of parting is a sweet gesture of recognition of a loving relationship. As a matter of fact, there is no Platform 8 on the Ambala station.
Summary
Arun is a 12-year-old boy. After leaving his parents, he travels by bus and arrives at the station at 12noon. He sits on platform no.8 . So he continues to watch the changing scene around. He feels lonely and bored.
Suddenly, Arun hears a soft voice from behind. It is a woman in a white saree. She wears no jewels. After a brief introduction, she invites Arun to the station dining room. Arun does not refuse the invitation as he feels it would be too impolite to reject it. The woman seems to be pleased in watching him eat. While eating he opens up and tells her about his school, his friends, and his likes and dislikes. The woman speaks very little and listens to him intently.
Arun's school fellow Satish, along with his mother, appears on the platform. Satish's mother asks Arun if the lady is his mother. Before Arun utters a word, the woman comes to his rescue and says she is his mother. Satish's mother, says that there are many suspicious characters hanging around. She behaves like one should be very careful of strangers. The woman does not feel embarrassed. Sathish's mother looks at Arun and advises him to be cautious in the absence of his mother, and never talk to strangers. Arun irritates her by contradicting her, I like strangers.
After some time, the train steams in. Satish's mother and the stranger standing on the platform talking to the boys. The train starts, and Satish says, Good-bye, mother. They wave to each other. Not to be left behind, Arun also utters the farewell words, Good-bye, mother. He continues to gaze at the woman until she disappears into the crowd.
References
- ^ Shaw, Norah Nivedita (2008). Ruskin Bond Of India. Andrika Publishers & Distributors. pp. 32–35. ISBN 9788126910175.
- ^ Sharma, Radhe Shyam; S. B. Shukla; Sashi Bala Talwar (2000). Studies in contemporary literature: critical insights into five Indian English authors. Sarup & Sons. p. 143. ISBN 9788176251631.
- ^ Khorana, MG (2003). The Life and Works of Ruskin Bond. Greenwood Press. pp. 47–48. ISBN 0313311854.