#Review: All-Time Favourite Friendship Stories by Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond has a way of making the simplest moments feel unforgettable, and All-Time Favourite Friendship Stories is a lovely reminder of that. Every story in this collection celebrates friendship in a different form—between children, classmates, strangers, and even the people who unexpectedly leave a mark on our lives.

My favourite was “The Four Feathers.” The image of four boys calling themselves “companions in adventure, comrades-in-arms, and knights of the round table” instantly transported me back to the carefree confidence of childhood. Their hilarious attempt to “adopt” an abandoned baby had me chuckling, especially when one of them says, “We can’t adopt a baby,” only to be corrected by another. The moment when Bond proudly declares, “Scout Law Number Three, sir. To be useful and helpful,” perfectly captures the innocence and sincerity that runs through the story.

I also enjoyed slipping into the world of “Here Comes Mr Oliver,” where Bond’s trademark school humour and affectionate observations are impossible not to smile at. The remaining stories continue in the same vein, blending warmth, nostalgia, gentle humour, and quiet life lessons without ever sounding preachy.

What I love most about Ruskin Bond is that he never tries to manufacture emotion. His stories are understated, deeply humane, and effortlessly comforting. I closed this book feeling as though I’d spent time with old friends—some mischievous, some wise, but all unforgettable.

Find this book here.