The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Bond, Ruskin. Great Stories for Children. Rupa Publications, 2011.

Rakesh plants a cherry tree with his Grandfather and learns about patience while waiting for it to grow. When the seed finally blossoms into a tree after multiple setbacks and over years, Rakesh is grateful to have learned a valuable lesson.

Prakash, Bina, and Sonu undertake their long walk to school alongside the forest. They try to avoid the forest leopards by singing loudly and dreaming about what they would like to be when they grow up.

Usha and her brother tend to the home before Usha must venture out to the market as the sun sets. Usha gets caught out in the rain and must shelter in the colonial ruins. She is scared of what she believes to be ghosts until she realizes her brother and his friend were playing a joke on her.

Romi rides fearlessly through the forest after a fire kicks off in order to bring medicine to his ailing father. He comes across his younger friend, Teju, who he picks up on his bicycle. They encounter various animals fleeing the fire as well, but they make it through safely.

Cousins Chottu and Nandu live in a small village alongside the forest that was once populated by many tigers. Now, there is only one tiger remaining who occasionally eats the villagers’ crops. The villagers decide to band together and call in a hunting party to drive the tiger from the forest or kill him. Chottu tries to save the tiger and shows him respect. The tiger falls into the river and is carried to another area in the forest where he meets a tigress. Chottu hears the tiger roaring and prays that there will always be tigers living in India.

A young man plans to leave India to travel to England for more work opportunities. As he prepares to leave, he comes across a young girl who reminds him of the beauty of life and India. He wishes that he did not have to leave because he knows he will miss India when he is abroad.

Hari meets Romi at a wrestling match and cons his way into receiving a job offer as Romi’s chef. All along, Hari is planning to steal from Romi and continue on his way. As time passes, he begins to see Romi as an older brother figure, and he is unable to carry out his plan. Eventually, Hari does steal from Romi but he brings the money back and Romi forgives him.

Suraj watches the trains pass through the mountainside tunnel in Mussoorie while also fascinated with the forest leopards. Suraj dreams of traveling far beyond his town.

In the final short story, Grandfather plants a chestnut tree with his great grandson, Gautam. The tree planting is a parallel to when he planted a cherry tree with Rakesh in the first chapter. He reflects on his entire life in Mussoorie and how grateful he is to have had such a close relationship with his family. He feels ready to move on.