A Face in the dark is a horror story novel written by Famous Indian author, Ruskin Bond. The novel was originally published on 2004. The story of novel revolve around a life school teacher who got stuck in dark forest of his school.
A Face in the Dark By Ruskin Bond
Summary of A Face in the Dark By Ruskin Bond
Ruskin Bond’s ” A Face in the Dark” begins with character, Mr. Oliver, who is an Anglo Indian teacher. Once upon a time Mr. Oliver was going back to his school at night which is located in main city of Shimla. Mr Oliver’s school is located in dark forest which is very dark at night. In that dark and quiet place, Mr. Oliver is going to his school at dark night.
Mr. Oliver is bachelor who is working as school teacher for a long time. As it is getting dark in forest, Mr. Oliver decides to take a short way to school. Therefore, Mr. Oliver took a way of pine forest.
When pine trees move by wind, it makes very dangerous sound which can even scared a brave man. Mr. Oliver is taking that short way which is not recommended for weak heart people as the sound of pine makes many people scared. On the other side, Mr. Oliver is fearless man who is not scared of anything. He doesn’t believe in ghost or any horror fairy tale story.
Mr. oliver used to have one torch which he use to open in dark night but that night his torch battery was draining slowly-slowly. As Mr. Oliver was going through pine forest, he came across one child who was sitting alone on stone.
Mr. Oliver stopped there and thinks what this child is doing in this dark forest. Mr. Oliver goes to that child and asks what he is doing alone in such dark forest. When Oliver asks question to that kid, he does not feel normal. That kid was crying by covering his face with his hands.
When any normal kid cry, he made sound but that kid wasn’t making any sound while crying. Mr. Oliver who used to be fearless is now getting scared slowly – slowly. If you are not afraid, just imagine yourself in Mr. Oliver’s place who is in very dark forest where he can’t even ask for help.
Mr. Oliver again asks that kid what is happening with him. What is he doing alone in such dark place ? That kid was just crying, he don’t even look at Mr. Oliver. Mr. Oliver again ask that kid, what is his problem ? That kid look at Mr. Oliver but his hands are still on his face.
When that kid remove his hands from his face, Mr. Oliver gets shocked to see him as that kid had no eyes, no ear, no nose and no lips on his face. The kid face was completely flat and he was wearing school cap on his head.
Suddenly, Mr Oliver’s torch fall from his hands and he started running from that kid without looking back. Mr. Oliver is running through dark forest and shouting for help. He is looking everywhere in forest for help but no one comes. Thereafter, Mr. Oliver saw a man with lamp who is watchman.
The watchman asks Mr. Oliver what is happening with him. Mr. Oliver tells him that he saw a kid who has no eyes, no ears, no nose and no lips on his face. Then watchman asks Mr. Oliver to look at his face. At the end of story, Mr. Oliver looks at watchman face who was also looking like that faceless kid.
Recommended Reading
The Cherry Tree by Ruskin Bond