High in the hills of Mussoorie, where clear streams run through forests of oak and pine, a boy spends his summer exploring the mountains. One day, he discovers something unusual in his favourite mountain stream—a smooth purple stone that glows softly in the sunlight. But this is no ordinary stone.
Some believe it is a valuable mineral that can bring them riches. Others think it might bring luck—or perhaps, trouble! As the attractive stone travels from one owner to another, it has strange and surprising effects on all of them. But its various owners are never able to hold on to it for long. Sometimes, the most wonderful treasures are not meant to be kept—only admired.
Set against the serene beauty of the Himalayan hills, The Wonderful Stone is a delightful story about adventure, curiosity, and the simple joys of discovering the natural world. After all, the mountains still hold many secrets—if only you know where to look.
Ruskin Bond is the author of several bestselling novels and collections of short stories, essays, and poems. These include: The Ghosts of Indian Small Towns: A Journey Through Time; Around India with Ruskin Uncle; The Hill of Enchantment; The Room on the Roof (winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize); A Flight of Pigeons; The Night Train at Deoli; Time Stops at Shamli; Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra (winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award); Angry River; The Blue Umbrella; Delhi Is Not Far; Rain in the Mountains; Tigers for Dinner; Tales of Fosterganj; A Gathering of Friends; Upon an Old Wall Dreaming; Small Towns, Big Stories; Unhurried Tales; A Gallery of Rascals; Rhododendrons in the Mist; Miracle at Happy Bazaar (winner of the Kalinga Literary Festival Children’s Book of the Year, 2021); It’s a Wonderful Life; The Shadow on the Wall; Song of the Forest; The Last Tiger; The Gold Collection; and The Night Has a Thousand Eyes.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Delhi government in 2012, the Padma Bhushan in 2014, the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2021, and the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
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