The Woman on Platform No. 8 by Ruskin Bond | Summary

The Woman on Platform No. 8 by Ruskin Bond

Summary

“The Woman on Platform No. 8” is a realistic story by Ruskin Bond. It portrays a kind and caring woman who acts as a mother figure to a lonely boy named Arun. The story shows that true motherhood is defined by love and care, not just by biological ties.

Arun, a twelve-year-old boy, is the narrator of the story. He studies at a boarding school. One day, he is waiting alone for his train on Platform No. 8 at Ambala station. It is his second year at boarding school, and he is returning after his vacation. His parents think he is old enough to travel alone. His train is scheduled to arrive at midnight.

It is a long wait, so he passes the time watching the activities on the platform. He walks up and down, looks at books, and throws biscuits to stray dogs. After some time, he loses interest in his surroundings and begins to feel bored and lonely.

Soon, he hears a woman’s soft voice behind him. She is over thirty years old, with a pale face and kind, dark eyes. She wears a simple white sari and no jewellery. She asks Arun if he is alone. He tells her that he is waiting for his midnight train. She invites him to the station dining room to have something to eat. Arun does not refuse because it would feel impolite. She asks a coolie to look after his suitcase and leads him down the platform.

The woman orders tea, samosas, and jalebis. Arun begins to feel comfortable with her. She listens patiently as he talks about himself. She enjoys watching him eat and talk. While returning from the dining room, they see a boy jumping across the railway track near a moving engine. The woman becomes frightened and digs her fingers into Arun’s arm. She calms down only when the boy reaches safety. Arun tries to comfort her, and she smiles and presses his hand gratefully. Then they return to the place where Arun’s suitcase is kept.

Arun’s schoolmate, Satish, appears with his mother. Satish’s mother asks if the woman is Arun’s mother. Before Arun can speak, the woman says that she is his mother. Satish’s mother warns Arun to be careful of strangers. Arun dislikes her bossy tone and contradicts her by saying that he likes strangers. When she repeats her warning, Arun moves closer to the woman.

When the train arrives, Arun and Satish board the compartment. Satish’s mother gives Satish fruits, chocolates, and a cricket bat. She again gives advice and warns them about strangers. Arun allows the woman to hold his hand. Before leaving, Arun kisses her on the cheek. As the train moves out of the station, Satish says goodbye to his mother. Arun also says goodbye and calls the woman “Mother.” He keeps looking at her until she disappears into the crowd.

Answer these questions.

a. How did Arun spend his time while waiting at the station?

Arun spent his time pacing up and down the platform while waiting for the train. He browsed at the bookstall to pass the time. He fed broken biscuits to stray dogs near the platform. He watched trains arrive and depart from the station. When he became tired, he sat on his suitcase, feeling bored and lonely.

b. Describe the woman who approached Arun.

The woman who approached Arun was dressed very simply in a white sari. She wore no jewellery and looked poor but dignified. Her face was pale, and her eyes were dark and kind. She had a deep, soft voice and a calm, serene expression. She was gentle and caring and treated Arun with affection and respect.

c. What was Satish’s mother’s opinion about strangers?

Satish’s mother believed that strangers were dangerous and untrustworthy. She thought a child should never wait alone at a big railway station. She warned that suspicious people were always around. She advised Arun to be very careful when his mother was not with him. She repeatedly told him never to talk to strangers.