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 and the Partridge
A fussy jackal says a true friend must make him laugh, make him cry, feed him and save his life, so his friend the partridge sets out to do all four.
Indian Folk Tales
The Jewelled Arrow
Tricked into shooting his father’s magic arrow at a strange crane, a young prince follows the bird to the city of a cruel magician and falls in love.
Indian Folk Tales
The Jogi’s Punishment
A holy man who is not as holy as he seems convinces a king that his own daughter is an evil spirit, but a floating chest brings a surprising rescue.
Indian Folk Tales
The Five Wise Words of the Guru
Ram Singh leaves a scolding stepmother with five guru rules; obeying them through court dangers proves his honesty to the rajah.
Indian Folk Tales
The King of Crocodiles
Crocodiles ruin a farmer's wheat until he promises his daughter; underwater she finds a gold-clad king, and her parents later join them.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Hermit’s Daughter
A hermit’s daughter who talks with forest animals marries a king, until a jealous lady and a scheming barber convince him she is a poisoning witch.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Grain of Corn
A crow drops a stolen grain into a crack in a tree and must return it to an angry farmer's wife, so he begs a woodman, a king, a queen and others for help.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Good Husband and the Bad Wife
A kind Brahmin invites a guest to dinner, but his bad-tempered wife tells a wild lie about a wooden pestle, and the poor visitor runs for his life.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Fish Prince
A prince transformed into a fish is cared for by a queen. Maya, brought as his bride after her father accepts payment, receives a cobra's help to end the spell.
Indian Folk Tales
The Goldsmith’s Fortune
After his wife's murder, a goldsmith extorts a stranger and deceives a greedy village with claims about selling bodies and finding cattle underwater. His wealth ends in isolation.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Foolish Weaver
A new shepherd misapplies instructions with serious consequences; later, seven travelling weavers share a counting mistake because each leaves himself out.
Indian Folk Tales
The Ivory City and Its Fairy Princess
An exiled prince and his devoted friend reach Gulizar's Ivory City through secret signs and dangerous escapes, but poisoning and a fabricated accusation complicate their royal happy ending.