Indian Folk Tales
Village tricksters, rajas and ranis, resourceful daughters, talking animals and figures such as Raja Rasalu appear in these selections associated with Indian storytelling traditions. Published sources include Flora Annie Steel’s Tales of the Punjab and stories selected for Andrew Lang’s fairy books.
The source notes identify the version used and any regional connection that can be supported. A collection label is a way to browse, not proof that a travelling story has only one origin.
123 stories are in this collection right now.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Jackal, the Barber and the Brahmin Who Had Seven Daughters
A deceitful jackal becomes a Brahmin's son-in-law and offers magical gifts that others seize. The youngest daughter twice discovers what appearances conceal.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
How the Raja’s Son Won the Princess Labam
Grateful ants and tigers, stolen magical objects and Labam's own advice help a prince face her father's changing, deadly marriage tests.
Indian Folk Tales
How Raja Rasalu Became a Jogi
Disguised as a begging holy man, Rasalu sings at the gate of the famously beautiful Queen Sundran, wins her heart and then walks away without a backward glance.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
How the Wicked Sons Were Duped
An old father whose greedy sons treat him badly gets help from a wise friend, whose clever trick with four heavy bags soon changes how the sons behave.
Indian Folk Tales
Jackal or Tiger?
A king banishes his queen over a silly quarrel about a howl in the night, and years later the son raised in the forest comes to his court as a servant.
Indian Folk Tales
Good Will Grow Out of Good
A king orders a deadly trap after an untested accusation against an old Brahmin. A breakfast invitation changes who reaches the executioners first.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Harisarman
After hiding a horse to stage a magical recovery, Harisarman gains a reputation he cannot support. An overheard name and a lucky nickname keep his bluff alive.
Indian Folk Tales
Good Luck to the Lucky One
A desperate beggar moves into a haunted mansion and answers the voice crying “Shall I fall down?”—but the owner sees the result very differently.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
How Raja Rasalu Journeyed to the City of King Sarkap
Sheltering from a storm in an old graveyard, Rasalu talks all night with a headless ghost, who warns him how King Sarkap cheats at dice and how to beat him.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Grasp All, Lose All
A poor oil-seller finds four rubies on a magic shore, and a moneylender, a minister and a rajah all want more, until greed carries them away for good.
Indian Folk Tales
Chandralekha and the Eight Robbers
Chandralekha, a brilliant dancer’s daughter, outwits a gang of eight robbers night after night until a prince helps her set one last trap in the forest.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Diamond Cut Diamond
When a crafty shopkeeper refuses to give back a merchant’s box of jewels, a cheerful young trickster thinks up an even craftier plan to get them back.