The eyes are not here (by Ruskin Bond)- Short story#01

The eyes are not here (by Ruskin Bond)

I had the compartment to myself up to Rohana, and then a girl got in. the couple who saw her off were probably her parents; they seemed very anxious about her comfort, and the women gave the girl detailed instructions as to where to keep her things, when not to lean out of the windows, and how to avoid speaking to strangers. They said their good-byes; the train pulled out of the station.

As I was totally blind at the time, my eyes sensitive only to light and darkness, I was unable to tell what the girl looked like; but I knew she wore slippers from the way they slapped against her heels. It would take me some time to discover something about her looks and perhaps I never would. But I liked the sound of her voice, and even the sound of her slippers.

‘Are you going all the way to Dehra?’ I asked. I must have been sitting in a dark corner because my voice started her. She gave a little exclamation and said,’ I didn’t know anyone else was here.’

Well, it often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them. They have too much to take in, I suppose. Whereas people who cannot see (or see very little) have to take in only the essentials, whatever registers most tellingly on their remaining senses

‘I didn’t if I would be able to prevent her from discovering that I was blind, I thought. ‘Provided I keep to my seat, It shouldn’t be too difficult.’

The girl said, ‘I’m getting down at Saharanpur. My aunt is meeting me there.’

Then I Had better no be too familiar,’ I said. ‘Aunts are usually formidable creatures.’

‘When are you going?’ she asked.

‘To Dehra, and then to Mussoorie.’

‘Oh, how lucky you are, I wish I were going to Mussoorie. I love the hills. Especially in October’

‘Yes this is the best time, ‘I said calling on my memories. The hills are covered with wild dahlias, the sun is delicious, and at night you can sit in front of a log-fire and drink a little brandy. Most of the tourists have gone, and the roads are quite and almost deserted. Yes October is the best time.’

She was silent, and I wondered if my words had touched her, or whether she thought me a romantic fool. Then I made a mistake.

‘What is it like?’ I asked.

She seemed to find nothing strange in the question. Had she noticed already that I could not see? But her next question removed my doubts.

‘Why don’t you look out the window?’ she asked.

I moved easily along the berth and felt for the window-ledge. The window was open, and I faced it, making pretence, of studying the landscape. I heard the panting of the engine, the rumble of the wheels, and in my mind’s eye, I could see the telegraph-posts flashing by.

‘Have you noticed,’ I ventured, that the trees seem to be moving while we seem to be standing still?

‘That always happens,’ she said. ‘Do you see any animals?

Hardly any animals left in the forests near Dehra.’

I turned from the window and faced the girl, and for a while we sat in silence.

‘You have an interesting face,’ I remarked. I was becoming quit daring, but it was a safe remark. Few girls can resist flattery.

She laughed pleasantly, a clear ringing laugh.

‘It’s nice to be told I have an Interesting face. I am tired of people telling me I have a pretty face.’

‘Oh, so you do have a pretty face.’ Thought I, and aloud I said:

‘You are very gallant young man,’ she said. ‘But why are you so serious?

I thought then, that I would try to laugh for her,’ but the thought of laughter only made me feel troubled and lonely.

We’ll soon be at your station,’ I said.

‘Thank goodness it’s a short journey. I can bear to sit in a train for more than two or three hours.’

Yet I was prepared to sit there for almost any length of time,

Just to listen to her talking. Her voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream. As soon as she left the train, she would forget our brief encounter; but it would stay with me for the rest of the journey and for some time after.

The engine’s whistle shrieked, the carriage wheels changed their sound and rhythm.

The girl got up and began to collect her things. I wondered if she wore her hair in a burn, or if it was plaited, or if it hung loose over her shoulders, or if it was cut very short.

The train drew slowly into the station. Outside, there was the shouting of porters and vendors and a high-pitched female voice near the carriage door which must have belonged to the girl’s aunt.

‘Good-bye,’ said the girl.

She was standing very close to me, so close that the perfume from her hair was tantalizing. I wanted to raise my hand and touch her hair,’ but she moved away, and only the perfume still lingered where she had stood.

‘You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, but the scent of the roses will linger there still…..

There was some confusion in the doorway. A man, getting into the compartment, stammered an apology. Then the door banged shut, and the world was shut out again. I returned to my berth. The guard blew his whistle and we off. Once again, I had a game to play with a new fellow- traveller.

The train gathered speed, the wheels took up their song, the carriage groaned and shook. I found the window and sat in front of it, staring into the daylight that was darkness form me. So many things were happening outside the window. It could be a fascinating game, guessing what went on out there.

The man who had entered the compartment broke into my reverie. ‘You must be disappointed,’ he said,’ I’m not as attractive a travelling companion as the one who just left.’

‘She was an interesting girl,’ I said.’ Can you tell me –did she keep her hair long or short?’

‘I don’t remember,’ he said, sounding puzzled.’ it was her eyes I noticed, not her hair. She had beautiful eyes but they were of no use to her, she was completely blind. Didn’t you notice?’

Comprehension questions:

1. Where is the girl travelling to?

2. Why does the narrator make ‘pretence of studying the landscape’?

3. How does the narrator try to find out more about the girl?

4. Why does the narrator refer to the girl’s face as ‘interesting’?

5. Which sentences indicate the climax of the story?

6. ‘   It often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them.’

        Comment on this statement

7. Identify the sentences that the narrator uses to find out something about the girl

8. What does the author like about the hills in October? What senses does he use to appreciate these things?

9. Why does the narrator think he has made a mistake when he says ‘What is it like?’

10. Train Journeys can bring together people who are more similar than they realise. Comment

11. Comment on the use of Irony in the story.

12. Based on her comments write a character sketch of the girl