Five Indian Short Stories Every Kid Should Read
(also known as Cabuliwallah or The Fruit Seller from Kabul)
Written by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Kabuliwala (meaning fruit seller) is a short story in Bengali, and was published in the year 1892.
What is it about?
Set in Kolkata (then Calcutta) and narrated through the eyes of a doting father, the story charts the course of an unlikely friendship between Rahman, a dried fruit seller from Kabul, and Mini, the narrator’s five-year old daughter.
Why you should read it
Kabuliwala is one of those literary gems that are as rare as they are timeless. Whenever I think of it, the first emotion it excites in me is warmth, and that’s because the story reads like sunshine on a rainy day. There’s warmth in the friendship between Rahman and Mini, warmth in the relationship between Mini and her father, and warmth in the short encounters between Rahman and Mini’s father.
Masterfully told by Tagore, Kabuliwala is tender and innocent and heart-breaking all at once.
Who can read it?
The ideal age for a reader is ten years and older.
Where can I get it?
Kabuliwala is a famous Indian short story that has frequently been translated into English. While many of these translations are available for free, I recommend Stories from Tagore published by The Macmillan Company (1918).
(or The Girl on the Train)
Written by one of India’s most prolific and acclaimed children’s book authors, The Eyes Have It was published in the year 1991.
What is it about?
The narrator, a blind man, boards a train to Dehradun and, on the way, strikes up a lively conversation with a fellow passenger who is on her way to Saharanpur. A battle of wits ensues as the narrator attempts to make small talk with the young woman while, at the same time, concealing his blindness from her.
Why you should read it
The Eyes Have It is a poignant story rife with irony. The themes of pride, self-preservation, openness, and emotional and physical vulnerability run throughout the story like a roaring undercurrent. And it leaves you wondering about the trade-off between hiding your true self to avoid pain and humiliation, and the genuine human connections you risk losing out on as a consequence.
Who can read it?
For a better understanding of the story’s underlying message, I suggest introducing this to children twelve years and older.
Where can I get it?
You can find The Eyes Have It in the original anthology Contemporary Indian Short Stories compiled by Shiv K Kumar. If you wish to read famous stories of Ruskin Bond, then I recommend The Night Train at Deoli and Other Stories published by Penguin (2016).
Written by Sahitya Academy Award winner Dr Chaman Nahal, The Silver Lining was published in the year 1965. It was part of a short story collection called The Weird Dance and Other Stories.
What is it about?
While vacationing at a hill station, Mr Dhanda, the narrator, becomes friendly with Mr and Mrs Bhandari, the owners of the guest house where he is staying. After an awkward encounter with the couple’s eight-year old daughter, Promodni, who has a hearing and speech disability, he devices a plan to spare Promodni and her parents more such encounters in the future. But the arrival of a new visitor throws their carefully made plans out the window.
Why you should read it
I read this story in school, and was deeply affected by it. To the point where, when I decided to make this post, I racked my brains and scoured the internet (I had forgotten both the title and the author.) to find it. Re-reading it, however, made me realise that the story does not have the same impact on an adult as on a child. Moreover, a touch of colourism and stereotyping mar what is otherwise a sensitively narrated story about an underrepresented and marginalised group.
But don’t let these flaws deter you. Rather, you can use this story as a gateway to have an open conversation with your kids about equality, kindness, and accessibility for people with disabilities to facilities and amenities that most people without disabilities tend to take for granted.
Who can read it?
Keeping in mind the sensitivity of the topic, I recommend this to kids ten years and older.
Where can I get it?
You can find The Silver Lining in India, an anthology of Indian short stories published by the Oxford University Press (2019).
Written by Madhavi S. Mahadevan, Snip, Snip, Snip was published in the year 1995.
What is it about?
Maya, a young girl, is torn between her desire to get rid of her perpetually plaited hair, and honouring her conventional mother’s wishes. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands with disastrous consequences.
Why you should read it
Snip, Snip, Snip is a light-hearted story about teenage rebellion. We have all been in Maya’s shoes—desperately wanting something our parents were dead-set against, and then doing stupid things in our desperation. This is one such sweet and delightful story.
Who can read it?
Because the story is sweet and funny, kids eight years and older will be able to enjoy it.
Where can I get it?
It’s part of an anthology of Indian short stories with morals called Snip, Snip, Snip & Other Stories published by Madhuban Educational Books (1995).
Written by Kiran Desai (not sure if it’s the Kiran Desai), Neha was published in the year 1995.
What is it about?
Neha, a young girl, is full of nervous excitement as she moves to a new city and school. However, with her conspicuous hearing aid, she becomes an easy target for bullies.
Why you should read it
Neha is the second story in the list which deals with deafness. But, unlike The Silver Lining, the character’s disability is not the focus of this story. Instead, it tackles the issues of bullying and rejection by peers. After all, social acceptance and a sense of belonging is crucial in one’s formative years; and Neha makes this point in a subtle yet effective way. Further, by giving the bullies a chance at redemption, the story reminds us that people have the capacity to change and evolve.
Who can read it?
The story deals with heavy but highly relevant topics. As such, I recommend this story to kids eight years and older.
Where can I get it?
Neha is part of the same anthology called Snip, Snip, Snip & Other Stories mentioned above.
I read these Indian short stories as a child growing up in the 90s, and they have stayed with me all through these years.
Is there a short story that left its imprint on you? Please feel free to share in the comments below.
This article was first published by the author (and owner of this website) on suramesh.com.
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