Review by Viya
This book is set in the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie.
Mani’s Granny’s has been wearing the same scratchy old glasses for many years now and can barely see with those. To visit a Doctor, Mani and she make a two-day journey down from their village to get a new pair of glasses. For this trip, Rs150 is all they have. Granny can’t go alone and she is worried about leaving Mani alone at home, so Mani happily agrees to accompany her.
In this adventure, they experience many obstacles. Granny is so old, yet she is so energetic, enthusiastic,
and can manage this hike better than Mani. They boarded a bus but it could not take them ahead
because of a landslide. In this situation also, Granny manages to go around the mountain in the rain!
They encounter mules and Granny knows what to do next!! She isn’t afraid.
Finally, the visit to the Doctor happens and he gives Granny new glasses. With her new glasses, she can
clearly see Mani now. She realizes he has grown up now more than she had thought.
On the way back in the bus, Granny admires the outside view. She appreciates the nature’s gifts far
more than others.
The book has lovely visual descriptions of the hills and smaller towns of India. The illustrations are there
on every page and are a treat to the eye.
I loved reading the book and look forward to reading more of Ruskin Bond books. Who knows,
I might also get inspired and write a book like him (at the age of seventeen)!