Folk Tales of India

From turtles who talk too much, jackals and mangos, to tigers and laughing fish, Indian folk tales delight people of all ages with beautiful narratives on friendship, morality and philosophy. Clever tricksters, nefarious villains and brave heroes make up the compelling and enduring folk history of India. The rich culture and vast landscape of India come alive in their ancient folk tales and folklore. Indian folklore and fairy tales have entertained and enlightened generations, since the dawn of language to modern time, with ballads of heroes, so beloved, they are deified and worshiped around the continent, and with epic poetry that strengthens and heralds a community’s shared values. Influenced by Hinduism, Indian folk tales are robust with central religious figures and moral lessons; they were used to preserve history, important people and places, as well as the religious rites and ceremonies of various Indian regions. In India wondrous things always happen: A gusty princess imperils her life so she can rescue her brothers from the land of the magic bird. A clever zamindar's wife sets a demon an impossible task. A brave landowner's wife single-handedly outsmarts a gang of dacoits. In this enchanting collection of India's timeless folk tales, dauntless women catch thieves, argue with high-handed kings, outwit presumptuous rats and deal with dangerous demons. India is often reputed to be the home of the fairy tale.