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 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
Retaliation
Two sacrificed goats are reborn as a king and his minister who come to sacrifice a holy priest—until the goddess shows him how to escape a second death.
Indian Folk Tales
The Birth of Lord Krishna
Warned that his sister’s eighth son will destroy him, wicked King Kansa locks her away, but on a stormy midnight the baby Krishna is carried to safety.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Close Alliance
A farmer's wife tricks a tiger to save the household's animals, then turns its suspicion against the jackal who persuades it to return with their tails tied.
Indian Folk Tales
Ekalavya and Drona
A forest prince turned away by the great archery teacher Drona trains alone before a clay statue of him, until his skill outshines even Arjuna’s.
Indian Folk Tales
The Death and Burial of Poor Hen-Sparrow
A cock-sparrow's new young bride dies; grief spreads in cumulative verses until king, queen, and court dance a frantic mourning song.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Demon with the Matted Hair
Every weapon the brave Prince of the Five Weapons strikes with sticks fast in a demon’s hair, yet the trapped prince still refuses to be afraid.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
Sun, Moon, and Wind Go Out to Dinner
Sun and Wind feast without saving food for their mother Star, but Moon hides a share; gifts explain heat, gale, and soft moonlight.
Indian Folk Tales
The Faithful Prince
When his fairy bride flies away to her father’s enchanted Emerald Mountain, Prince Bahramgor sets off through Demonsland to find her, whatever it costs.
Indian Folk Tales
The Farmer and the Money-lender
The god Ram gives a poor farmer a wish-granting conch, but a greedy money-lender steals it and demands double of everything the farmer ever wishes for.
Indian Folk Tales
The Faithless Wife and the Ungrateful Blind Man
Abandoned in a forest, a blind man is rescued by a kind merchant and his wife, then repays them with a wicked lie that could cost them their lives.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Peasie and Beansie
Kind Peasie helps a tree, a fire, a pipal and a stream on her way to visit their father, and her selfish sister Beansie hopes to win the same rewards.