4. Explanation of entries - June 24, 25, 27

The lesson gives us a glimpse into the diary of Ruskin Bond. The first day being talked about was June \(24\). It was the time around which the monsoon started, and the mist had wrapped the hills in silence.

 

As written, June \(24\) was the first day when the mist appeared. The author called it “strange” as all the birds suddenly went silent when clouds of mist climbed up the hill.

The author claims the mist to be melancholic in nature for two reasons. First, it covers up the mountains and hides the serene view. Second, it silences the birds, thereby bringing sadness.

 

An hour before the mist appeared, the trees were lively with birds' songs. But then, it became so still and silent. The author called the forest “deathly” as it was so dark that it looked midnight, and the forest was wrapped in utter silence.

The author could hear Bijju calling out for his sister but could not see him through the mist. He could make out that Bijju was running about on the hillside.

 

On the \(25\)th day of June, the hills witnessed some early monsoon rain, which brought with itself warmth and humidity. It was different from the showers the hills receive all year that cools environments at such high altitudes. The plants also knew very well that the monsoon had arrived. The author describes as the first cobra lily of the season reared its head, making its way among the ferns as the author walked till the bank and the post office. Upon being asked by a school boy, the author described the hill station and valley as “A paradise that might have been”, implying that during the monsoon season, the hill station and valley were heavenly and hence the description.

 

In the entry on \(27\)th June, the author mentions how the rain had brought with it a few seasonal visitors like the leopard and lots of leeches. On the afternoon of the day before, the leopard attacked a dog. The latter was lifted from near the servants’ quarter below the school. In the evening it almost took one of Bijju’s cows but ran away as soon as Bijju’s mother came crying and screaming.

As the presence of leeches were increasing during the monsoon, the author says that losing little blood to them every day has become unavoidable. He mentions a few other creatures that arrived with the rain such as the scarlet minivets-bright red birds that look like cuckoos; however, their female-counterparts are yellow. They move swiftly and lightly among the leaves giving the appearance of brilliant jewels around them. These birds are so bright in their colour that regardless of how leafy the tree is, it was difficult for them to hide themselves. Sometimes they manage to go unnoticed by remaining silent. A pair of Drongos also came along. These birds, quite unnecessarily aggressive in nature, chased the minivets away.

 

 

During this time, a treecreeper grew up the trunk of the oak tree, plucking insects on its way. The rainy season ensured that were was no lack of food for those birds that fed on insects.