# Indian Fairy Tales — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/dedication.md): A brief dedication to a child named Phil, setting a personal and affectionate tone for the book.
- [Indian Fairy Tales](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/indian-fairy-tales.md): A collection of Indian fairy tales featuring moral lessons, cunning animals, and magical transformations, exploring themes of gratitude, justice, and the consequences of greed.
- [The Lion and the Crane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-lion-and-the-crane.md): A crane (the Bodhisatta) removes a bone stuck in a lion's throat, saving his life. When the crane later asks for gratitude, the lion threatens him instead. The crane rebukes the lion's ingratitude and flies away. The Bud
- [How the Raja’s Son Won the Princess Labam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/how-the-raja-s-son-won-the-princess-labam.md): A Raja's son, forbidden by his mother to hunt on the fourth side, disobeys and discovers a jungle of talking parrots. Their king, Hiraman, mentions the Princess Labam, sparking the prince's obsession. Despite his parents
- [The Lambikin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-lambikin.md): A tiny lambikin sets off to visit his granny, promising predators he will return fatter. After gorging himself for seven days, he hides inside a drum made from his brother's skin to avoid being eaten. He tricks several a
- [Punchkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/punchkin.md): A Raja with seven daughters marries a cunning widow who becomes a cruel stepmother. The youngest daughter, Balna, is forced to marry a seven-headed prince and is later imprisoned by the enchanter Punchkin. Her son grows 
- [The Broken Pot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-broken-pot.md): A miserly Brahman named Svabhavakripana, who has collected a pot of rice by begging, spends the night fantasizing about future wealth—buying goats, cows, buffaloes, mares, and eventually a grand house and a wife. In his 
- [The Magic Fiddle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-magic-fiddle.md): A sister is drowned due to the ill-will of her brothers' wives, who conspire with a Bonga. She is transformed into a bamboo, which a Jogi makes into a fiddle. The fiddle's music moves her brothers to tears. The Jogi is t
- [The Cruel Crane Outwitted](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-cruel-crane-outwitted.md): A crane, the Bodhisatta, devises a plan to eat fish from a drying pond by pretending to transport them to a larger pond. He successfully eats all the fish, but when he tries to trick a crab, the crab outwits him by gripp
- [Loving Laili](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/loving-laili.md): Prince Majnun, son of King Dantal, is destined by divine command to marry Laili, the daughter of Munsuk Raja. After a brief encounter, Majnun leaves, and Laili, driven by love, wanders for twelve years, eventually being 
- [The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-tiger-the-brahman-and-the-jackal.md): A Brahman frees a tiger from a trap, but the tiger immediately threatens to eat him. The Brahman appeals to a pipal tree, a buffalo, and a road, all of which argue that ingratitude is natural. A clever jackal then tricks
- [The Soothsayer's Son](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-soothsayer-s-son.md): Gangazara, the second son of a soothsayer, inherits only his horoscope which predicts poverty, ten years of imprisonment, death on the seashore, and some happiness afterward. He journeys to Benares, rescues a tiger, a se
- [Harisarman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/harisarman.md): Harisarman, a poor and foolish Brahman with many children, enters the service of a rich householder named Sthuladatta. After being neglected during a feast, he pretends to possess magical knowledge to gain respect. He st
- [The Charmed Ring](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-charmed-ring.md): A merchant's son wastes his inheritance on a dog, a cat, and a snake, earning his father's wrath. The snake, revealed as Raja Indrasha's son, rewards him with a charmed ring, pot, and spoon. The ring conjures a house and
- [The Talkative Tortoise](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-talkative-tortoise.md): The future Buddha, born as a minister's adviser to King Brahmadatta of Benares, seeks to cure the king's excessive talkativeness. A tortoise, carried through the air by two wild ducks by biting a stick, cannot resist spe
- [A Lac of Rupees for a Bit of Advice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/a-lac-of-rupees-for-a-bit-of-advice.md): A poor blind Brahman and his wife, dependent on their son, send him to seek fortune in another country. He becomes caretaker of a golden temple for a generous king. His wife later finds him and receives a scrap of paper 
- [The Gold-Giving Serpent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-gold-giving-serpent.md): A poor Brahman farmer named Haridatta discovers a serpent he believes is the guardian deity of his field. He begins offering it milk, and in return, the serpent leaves a gold coin each day. When the Brahman's son takes o
- [The Son of Seven Queens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-son-of-seven-queens.md): A king with seven queens but no children is promised a son by a fakir. He becomes bewitched by a white hind who demands the eyes of his seven queens as a condition to marry him. The king complies, blinding and imprisonin
- [A Lesson for Kings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/a-lesson-for-kings.md): Two righteous kings, Brahma-datta of Benares and Mallika of Kosala, both seeking faultfinders to improve themselves, meet on a narrow road where neither chariot can pass. Their charioteers debate who should yield, ultima
- [Pride Goeth Before a Fall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/pride-goeth-before-a-fall.md): Ten cloth merchants returning home with their earnings are ambushed by three robbers in a forest. The robbers strip them of all possessions and force them to dance. One clever merchant uses a secret trade language in a s
- [Raja Rasalu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/raja-rasalu.md): Raja Rasalu, born to Raja Salabhan and Queen Lona, is hidden in an underground palace for twelve years due to a prophecy that his parents would die if they saw his face before that time. After eleven years, he grows rest
- [The Ass in the Lion’s Skin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-ass-in-the-lion-s-skin.md): A hawker dresses his ass in a lion's skin to let it graze freely in fields, but when villagers discover the trick after the ass brays, they beat it to death. The future Buddha observes and comments on the folly of preten
- [The Farmer and the Moneylender](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-farmer-and-the-moneylender.md): A poor farmer, suffering under a moneylender, seeks out Ram and receives a magical conch that grants wishes. The moneylender steals the conch but cannot use it, then forces a bargain to get double of whatever the farmer 
- [The Boy Who Had a Moon on His Forehead and a Star on His Chin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-boy-who-had-a-moon-on-his-forehead-and-a-star-on-his-chin.md): A poor gardener's daughter, who daily plays with the King's daughters, boasts that she will one day have a son with a moon on his forehead and a star on his chin. The King, overhearing this and desiring a child, marries 
- [The Prince and the Fakir](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-prince-and-the-fakir.md): A childless king meets a fakir at a crossroads and is promised two sons in exchange for one. The fakir later returns and, through a clever ant's conversation, discovers the king's true sons hidden in a cellar. He takes t
- [Why the Fish Laughed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/why-the-fish-laughed.md): A queen is offended when a fish laughs at her question about its gender. The king orders his vizier to explain the fish's laughter within six months or face death. The vizier despairs, but his clever son travels and meet
- [The Demon with the Matted Hair](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-demon-with-the-matted-hair.md): The Bodhisatta, born as Prince Five Weapons, ventures into a forest inhabited by a fearsome demon. Despite being caught by the demon, he remains fearless and uses his inner wisdom to subdue the demon, converting him to v
- [The Ivory City and Its Fairy Princess](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-ivory-city-and-its-fairy-princess.md): A prince accidentally wounds a merchant's wife while practicing archery, leading to his banishment. Accompanied by the vizier's son, he embarks on a journey, narrowly escaping robbers, and eventually reaches the Ivory Ci
- [How Sun, Moon, and Wind Went Out to Dinner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/how-sun-moon-and-wind-went-out-to-dinner.md): Sun, Moon, and Wind dine with their uncle and aunts Thunder and Lightning. Their mother, a distant Star, waits alone. Sun and Wind selfishly feast without saving any food for her, but Moon secretly hides portions under h
- [How the Wicked Sons Were Duped](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/how-the-wicked-sons-were-duped.md): A wealthy old man divides his property among his sons while still alive, only to suffer their neglect and cruelty once they have their inheritance. A friend advises him to pretend that a debt has been repaid with bags of
- [The Pigeon and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-pigeon-and-the-crow.md): The Bodhisatta, reborn as a pigeon, lives in a kitchen basket hung by a cook. A greedy crow befriends the pigeon to gain access to the kitchen's food. The crow feigns illness to avoid foraging and instead steals fish fro
- [Notes and References](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/notes-and-references.md): This chapter provides an extensive scholarly overview of the history, sources, and transmission of Indian folktales, focusing on the Jataka tales, the Bidpai literature, and the influence of Buddhism. It discusses the sp
- [I: The Lion and the Crane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i-the-lion-and-the-crane.md): This chapter presents the Jataka tale of the Lion and the Crane, tracing its origins, parallels across cultures, and historical transmission from India to the West. It discusses the fable's appearance in classical, medie
- [II: Princess Labam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ii-princess-labam.md): This chapter presents the tale of Princess Labam, exploring themes of direction taboos, grateful animals, bride-wagers, and tasks. It includes parallels to other Indian and European folktales, discussing the likelihood o
- [III: Lambikin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iii-lambikin.md): This chapter presents the Panjab droll 'Lambikin,' noting its parallels with the English 'Three Little Pigs' and suggesting a common origin through the motif of a small animal rolling downhill in a container to escape a 
- [IV: Punchkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iv-punchkin.md): This chapter presents the tale of Punchkin, an ogre whose external soul is hidden in a series of nested objects. The story includes motifs of a mother transformed, an envious stepmother, and a ring recognition. The comme
- [The Broken Pot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/v-the-broken-pot.md): This chapter traces the migration of the fable 'The Broken Pot' from its Indian origins through various translations and adaptations, including the Arabian Nights and La Fontaine, illustrating the transmission of folktal
- [VI: The Magic Fiddle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vi-the-magic-fiddle.md): This chapter presents a Santal folktale about a magic fiddle, with source notes and parallels to European variants. The story involves a Bonga spirit, low-caste aborigines, and a murderous sister, but the editor notes th
- [VII: The Cruel Crane Outwitted](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vii-the-cruel-crane-outwitted.md): This chapter presents the Baka-Jātaka (No. 38), where the Buddha is the Genius of the Tree. The tale involves a crane that deceives and eats fish, only to be outwitted and killed by a crab. The story spread into the Bidp
- [VIII: Loving Laili](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/viii-loving-laili.md): This chapter presents the tale of Majnun and Laili, conventional lovers in Indian folklore akin to Romeo and Juliet. It includes motifs such as living in animals' bellies, restoration of beauty by fire, and resuscitation
- [The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ix-the-tiger-the-brahman-and-the-jackal.md): This chapter presents the fable of a tiger trapped in a cage who promises a Brahman not to eat him if released, but upon being freed immediately threatens to devour him. The Brahman seeks judgment from a tree, a buffalo,
- [X: The Soothsayer’s Son](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/x-the-soothsayer-s-son.md): A story of ingratitude, contrasting the gratitude of beasts with the ingratitude of man, traced from ancient Indian sources through the Jatakas to medieval European collections like the Gesta Romanorum, and even cited by
- [XI: Harisarman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xi-harisarman.md): Harisarman, a poor Brahman, uses his wits to gain a reputation as a soothsayer. When a theft occurs, he is tasked with finding the culprits. Through a series of lucky coincidences and clever remarks, he successfully iden
- [XII: The Charmed Ring](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xii-the-charmed-ring.md): This chapter discusses the folktale 'The Charmed Ring,' tracing its parallels across various cultures from India to England, including the familiar 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.' It highlights the incident of the aidi
- [XIII: The Talkative Tortoise](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiii-the-talkative-tortoise.md): This chapter presents the Jataka tale of the Talkative Tortoise, who is carried through the air by ducks but falls to his death when he opens his mouth to respond to taunts. The story appears in the Bidpai literature and
- [Lac of Rupees](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiv-lac-of-rupees.md): A tale of a young man who, through a series of wise pieces of advice, saves the king's treasures from thieves and is rewarded with a lac of rupees. The story traces its origins to Buddhist literature, notably the parable
- [XV: The Gold-Giving Serpent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xv-the-gold-giving-serpent.md): A Brahmin discovers a snake in his field and, believing it to be the field's tutelary spirit, offers it milk each day. The snake rewards him with a piece of gold. When the Brahmin sends his son to make the offering, the 
- [The Son of Seven Queens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xvi-the-son-of-seven-queens.md): This chapter discusses the folktale 'The Son of Seven Queens,' tracing its origins and parallels across various cultures. It highlights the motif of a son born to seven co-queens, a concept unique to polygamous societies
- [A Lesson for Kings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xvii-a-lesson-for-kings.md): This chapter presents the Rājovāda Jātaka, an early moral allegory that teaches kings about justice and righteous rule. The Jataka's moralizing tone is evident, and it even extends to other tales like the Tar Baby story.
- [Pride Goeth Before a Fall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xviii-pride-goeth-before-a-fall.md): This chapter explores the theme of pride leading to downfall through various folktales, including a story about a crane that deceives fish and is ultimately killed by a crab, and a tale of a talkative tortoise who falls 
- [XIX: Raja Rasalu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xix-raja-rasalu.md): This chapter presents the legend of Raja Rasalu, a possibly historical figure from the eighth or ninth century, focusing on his adventures and the game of Chaupur, which is sometimes considered the origin of chess. The n
- [The Ass in the Lion's Skin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xx-the-ass-in-the-lion-s-skin.md): This chapter discusses the Jataka tale of the Ass in the Lion's Skin, tracing its parallels in Somadeva, Aesop, Babrius, and Avian. It notes that the Indian version provides a plausible motive for the masquerade, unlike 
- [The Farmer and the Moneylender](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxi-the-farmer-and-the-moneylender.md): This chapter presents a modern Indian version of a fable found in Avian, suggesting an Indian original that may predate the Christian era. The tale is compared to similar stories in Aesop, Jacques de Vitry, Bozon, and Ru
- [XXII: The Boy with Moon on Forehead](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxii-the-boy-with-moon-on-forehead.md): This chapter presents an Indian fairy tale about a boy born with a moon-shaped mark on his forehead, a common motif in Indian folklore. The story explores themes of destiny, disguise, and social status, with parallels to
- [XXIII: The Prince and the Fakir](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxiii-the-prince-and-the-fakir.md): A Baluchi tale, communicated by Mr. M. L. Dames, involving a prince and a fakir, with remarks on the rarity of unholy fakirs.
- [Why the Fish Laughed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxiv-why-the-fish-laughed.md): This chapter presents a Kashmiri folktale that incorporates the formula of the Clever Lass who guesses riddles, including a unique sex test. The story is analyzed for its parallels in European collections and its spread 
- [XXV: The Demon with the Matted Hair](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxv-the-demon-with-the-matted-hair.md): This chapter examines the Jataka tale of Prince Five Weapons and the Demon with the Matted Hair, tracing its parallels to the Uncle Remus story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby. It argues for a causal connection between t
- [The Ivory Palace](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxvi-the-ivory-palace.md): A tale of love at first sight through a magical mirror, where a prince falls in love with a princess he has never met. With the help of a faithful friend, he journeys to win her, facing trials including a poisoning attem
- [Sun, Moon, and Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxvii-sun-moon-and-wind.md): A traditional tale from the Deccan about Sun, Moon, and Wind being sent by their mother, the Star, to dinner. The Sun and Wind are greedy and forget to bring food back for their mother, while the Moon remembers and share
- [How Wicked Sons Were Duped](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxviii-how-wicked-sons-were-duped.md): This chapter discusses the folktale of wicked sons who are duped by their father, exploring its variants across cultures including Gaelic, Anglo-Latin, and Kashmiri versions. The commentary examines anthropological inter
- [XXIX: The Pigeon and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxix-the-pigeon-and-the-crow.md): The chapter presents the Lola Jataka, an animal fable illustrating the consequences of greed and ingratitude. A pigeon kindly brings a greedy crow to a kitchen to share food, but the crow's gluttony leads to its capture 
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide references and citations for the sources used in the book, including works on the history of the Aesopic fable, accounts of related literature, and the vast collection of unpublished Finnish folktale

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