The Blue Umbrella – Ruskin Bond

The story is set in a small, picturesque village in the Garhwal hills of the Himalayas and centers around a cheerful young girl named Binya. One day, she comes across some picnickers and is enchanted by their beautiful, vibrant blue silk umbrella. She trades her lucky leopard-claw pendant for the umbrella, which quickly becomes her most prized possession and the object of everyone’s admiration and envy in the village. 

The local shopkeeper, Ram Bharosa, is particularly consumed by the desire to own the umbrella. His covetousness leads him to make repeated offers to buy it, which Binya refuses. Eventually, his hired help attempts to steal the umbrella, is caught, and reveals Ram Bharosa’s involvement. As a result, the villagers begin to ostracize the shopkeeper, and his business suffers. Witnessing his distress, the kind-hearted Binya decides to selflessly gift him the umbrella. This act of generosity leads to Ram Bharosa’s change of heart and the restoration of harmony in the village.