Popular Stories from Panchatantra

Abstract

Thirty-two stories get generally one partial-page black-and-white design each. The stories are standard Panchatantra offerings. The book is a solid inexpensive paperback. I found several in the series while I was in the Oxford Bookstore in Kolkata. This copy is marked down 10 rupies as an introductory offer. There is a T of C for the numbered stories at the beginning. Almost all are familiar stories, even when told with some variations. New to me is the story of an argument between a thief and a ghost who are both out to victimize the same person. They awaken that person and he escapes (56) Also new to me is The Giant & the Thief (51), The Clever Jackal (94), Beating for Gold (105), The Importance of Company (110), The Ailing Prince and the Wise Princess (118), and The Brahmin & the Elf (141). The version of MSA here has a washerman as its protagonist, and a huge bundle of clothes is part of the fun of switching what is on the donkey (98).