Summary

The Fight by Ruskin Bond is a story about two boys, Ranji and Suraj, who initially clash but eventually form a friendship through mutual respect and cooperation.

Ranji, who had recently moved to Rajpur, discovers a beautiful pool in the forest. One hot summer day, he jumps into the pool to enjoy a refreshing swim. The next day, when Ranji returns to the pool, he meets another boy, Suraj. Initially friendly, Ranji invites Suraj to join him in the pool, but Suraj reacts coldly and warns him not to come near the pool. This sparks an argument, which quickly escalates into a physical fight. Suraj slaps Ranji hard, and the two boys exchange punches until they are both exhausted and agree to resume the fight the next day.

At home, Ranji’s mother notices his injuries and insists he rest. Despite this, Ranji sneaks out to the market and sees Suraj there. Both boys exchange a brief, silent stare but do nothing further.

The following day, they meet at the pool again. This time, Suraj challenges Ranji to a race across the pool to decide who should have the right to swim there. Though Ranji feels weak and reluctant to fight, he accepts the challenge to maintain his claim over the pool. Ranji swims across the pool effortlessly, impressing Suraj. Suraj, in awe of Ranji’s diving skills, asks him to teach him how to dive. Ranji agrees, and in turn, Suraj offers to teach Ranji wrestling techniques, as he is a skilled wrestler (Pahlawan). They begin training each other every day by the pool.

As time passes, their rivalry turns into a friendship. They agree to share the pool and protect it together from any outsiders. Both boys help each other develop new skills, and their bond grows stronger.

Conclusion of The Fight

The story teaches that fighting causes harm and serves no real purpose. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation, mutual respect, and helping each other. Rather than holding onto pride or hatred, the boys learn to form a meaningful connection based on understanding and shared experiences.