A Short Monsoon Diary 

The lesson gives us a glimpse into Ruskin Bond's diary and the first day is talked about June 24, around which the monsoon begins. As written, 24 June is the first day the fog appeared. The author calls it "strange" how all the birds suddenly fell silent as a cloud of small water droplets climbed the hill. He tries to explain why the mist is called "sadness" by giving two reasons. First, it covers the mountains and hides the serene view. Second, it silences the birds, causing grief. He writes that an hour before the fog was visible, the trees could be heard chirping (sparrows), but now it was so quiet and silent that they called the forest "murderous", because it seemed that around midnight was.

The writer could hear Brocko calling for his sister but could not see her through the mist. He could have guessed that Brock was walking up the hill.

On the twenty-fifth day of June that year, the hills saw some early monsoon rains, which brought with them heat and humidity. It is distinct from the rainfall that receives the hills throughout the year which cools the environment to such an elevation. The plants were also well aware that the monsoon had arrived as the first cobra lily of the season, as the writer's walk up the bank and post-office, made its way between the ferns. When asked by a school boy, the author described the hill station and valley as "a paradise that might have been lived". This means that during the monsoon season, the hill station and valley should feel heavenly which is why it is called "heaven".

The rain also brought with it some occasional visitors like some leopards and the arrival of a few thousand leeches. On the afternoon of the first day, the leopard picked up a dog from near the servants' quarters below the school. Not only this, it attacked one of Brock's cows in the evening, but as soon as Brock's mother ran away cursing him.

On the other hand, with speeches, the author says that he should make a habit of losing a little blood every day. He mentions some other names that arrived with rain such as Scarlett Minivet; Bright red birds that look like cuckoos, although their female counterparts are yellow. They move rapidly and lightly between the leaves and give the appearance of magnificent gems around them. These birds are so bright in their color that no matter how stony the tree is, it is difficult for them to hide themselves. However, sometimes they remain silent and go unnoticed. There is also a bird species called drongos, which is quite unnecessarily aggressive in nature. They chase these minarets.

During this time, a tree creeper climbs to the trunk of an oak tree, carrying insects with it. The rainy season ensures that there is no shortage of food for insect-eating birds.

The author wrote on August 2 about how the rain was decreasing on the corrugated tin roof. There was no storm or hail, just the smooth fall of tropical rain. This made it easier for the writer to wake up, although at the same time, it did not stop him from falling.

He explains how the sound of rain creates a good atmosphere for reading with the rain outside and the silence inside. He mentions the common leaks from the tin roof and how they give you the feeling of being untouched, touching you.

As the rain stops on August 3, the clouds have begun to give way to the writer's left sun. A woman could be seen cutting sticks into small pieces and the cries of cows could be heard. A crow sitting on an oak tree shook itself to get away with raindrops on its wings as it was unaffected and dripping water from the leaking drainpipe that drew rainwater from the building. As everything is settled, the pure song of the whistle can be heard from the depths of the valley like a "deep sweet secret".

By 12 August, the hills were experiencing continuous rain and permanent fog. He had not seen sunlight for a good stretch of eight to nine days. Everything around was a bit wet and moist. Not a single person could go anywhere. The only option was to go into the room and inflate or be seen suddenly moving in some umbrellas outside the window. The author is pleased that it was not a cold rain. The vegetation can be seen abundantly and abundantly on the hills as the blossoms of the last-monsoon began to bloom. Some of the flowers that started appearing are wild balsam, dahlias, begonius and ground orchids.

August 31, the last day of the month, also marks the end of the end of the monsoon season. The growth of the monsoon flora had reached its peak by that time and the color of the cobra seeds had changed to red color which also occurs at the end of the rainy season.

As the next few days pass, flowerless plants or ferns will turn yellow against their current fresh green as they will stand firm and upright. He mentions how ground orchids, white butterfly orchids and mauve lady slippers made the grassy slope of Landour fashionable. In addition, the wild dahlias, red, yellow and magenta turned their heads back towards the narrow opening in the cliffs where they had caught up.

Snakes and rodents that have come out of their holes and are buried in large numbers have taken shelter in terraces, attics and deities. A small insectivorous mammal, named as a gleam, wandered clumsily into the room with a very weak vision. It served as a means of entertainment for children. His grandmother warned him not to kill it because Chuchundar, as he is called in Hindi, is known for bringing wealth and prosperity. The author jokes about it and says that he definitely got a check in his mail. Although not a huge amount, but welcome anyway.

The month of October took the mountains directly into winter rains as it marked the end of the extended monsoon season. High altitude places were covered with snow. On October 3, after experiencing hail storm one evening before, the sky and the hills were bathed in beautiful golden light.

In the month of January, the hills receive winter rains. The author talks about the twenty-sixth day of January when he was quiet and still alone at home. A little while back his friend was also gone. He mentions how it was very lonely and quiet as he sat in complete silence and experienced silence. He was surrounded by the rhythm of the rain, the slow and gentle movement of leaves, lime and water on the roof as it drummed on the already wet threshold and window panes. The mist gently covered the house in its darkness.

As the writer was still standing near the window, the rain stopped and it rained again. He mentioned that the trees were now gray and no longer green, he was threatened by their loneliness.

Next he writes at the end of March which marked the end of the winter season. He recorded that he saw the darkest and darkest clouds on Mussoorie. It gave hail which looked like a stone for about thirty minutes. He reveals that there is nothing like hail sweeping the sky. He mentions that while he was writing his diary, a rainbow was still in its making.