Folk Stories from the Indian Sub-Continent
by
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The Brahmin, on the last watch, got up and went to the rivulet, bathed and did all his ablutions, and, chanting his morning incantations, came and took up his post on the rock. Looking around, he saw the statue, and was ecstatic and overjoyed, and exclaimed: “Oh, what a beauty, what a wonderful woman. But alas! She is lifeless. Let me give her life.” Saying this, he took the statue, and, placing it on the rock, started chanting his mantras, all the time sprinkling holy water. This he did until dawn. As he finished uttering the last mantra, the statue came to life, and a damsel of indescribable beauty stood in front of him.
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About the Book
In this small volume the author has selected and adapted folk stories from the rich folk heritage of various parts of the Indian subcontinent, especially India. These moral fables feature kings, princesses, farmers, peasants, the foolish and the wise, as well as animals and birds, who, as in all the best folk tales, can talk. Wicked stepmothers and wily cheats get their comeuppance, while more innocent characters tend to learn their lesson in wisdom or receive their reward. These thought-provoking, simple stories will give pleasure to young and old.
About the Author
Born in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka, Vivian De Thabrew received his formal education at Royal College, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and obtained his first and postgraduate degrees in the UK. He has travelled in many Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam, and has made a special study of Buddhist history, architecture, and the iconography of Buddhism. This interest and his knowledge of Pali and Sanskrit have also led him to produce an abridged translation and adaptation of stories from the “Dhammapada.”