How are women represented in Indian Folklores?

A Tamil folktale (A Hair-Breadth Escape) Once upon a time there lived a rich landlord. He was very miserly and difficult, and hence nobody was willing to work for him. Soon he had no labour for tilling his lands or filling up his tanks.  One day, a holy man visited the landlord and heard about… Continue reading How are women represented in Indian Folklores?

How not to be hopeless?

An Indian Folktale One evening, a merchant was locking the doors of his shop. Suddenly, a young man sprang up from behind and snatched the bag he was holding in his hand that contained the day’s collection from his business.  The merchant as well as some passers-by chased the thief and managed to catch him.… Continue reading How not to be hopeless?

What the Devil said?

Once upon a time there was a Dervish. As he was sitting in contemplation, he noticed that there was a sort of Devil near him. The Dervish said: “Why are you sitting there, making no mischief?” The Devil raised its head wearily and said: “Since the theoreticians and intellectuals have appeared in such numbers, there… Continue reading What the Devil said?

Being grounded

An Indian Folktale Once a FARMER and a CLEVER MINDED person got together to do farming jointly. They acquired some farmland. The farmer BARRICADED it with hedging and tilled it and PREPARED for sowing. Then went to the clever one and asked about the details of sharing the harvest. The clever one said, “I shall… Continue reading Being grounded

The Three Perspectives

A Sufi Folktale There were once three Sufis, so observant and experienced in life that they were known as The Three Perspectives.  One day during their travels they encountered a camel-owner, who said: “Have you seen my camel? I have lost it.” The Three Perspectives in reply started asking questions about the lost camel. They… Continue reading The Three Perspectives

The Location of Paradise 

An Indian Folktale “Sir, is there a paradise?” Vraja, the young disciple, asked the Master for the umpteenth time.  At last the Master replied with another question, “Must you know?”  “Yes, Master, yes!” said the disciple most eagerly.  “Well, my first disciple, Hemchandra, is in paradise,” said the Master and then he closed his eyes… Continue reading The Location of Paradise 

Changing stories of our life

An Aeshop’s Fable Once a Man and a Lion travelled together through the forest.  They soon began to boast of their respective superiority to each other in strength and prowess. As they were disputing, they passed a statue carved in stone, which displayed “a Lion strangled by a Man”.  The traveller pointed to it and… Continue reading Changing stories of our life