Introducing this collection of stories, R. K. Narayan describes how in India the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story. Malgudi Days is the marvellous result. Here Narayan portrays an astrologer, a snake-charmer, a postman, a vendor of pies and chappatis - all kinds of people, drawn in full colour and endearing domestic detail. And under his magician`s touch the whole imaginary city of Malgudi springs to life, revealing the essence of India and of human experience.