Folk Tales from Simla

by Alice Dracott

Book Overview

Originally published in 1906, this collection of folklore from the Himalayas contains 56 stories, each offering a glimpse into the fascinating culture of hill-folk of Northern India. Hippocrene Books... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0781807042
• ISBN13: 9780781807043
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

India is center-stage in these folk tales.

This collection of stories was originally published in 1906. Simla was the summer capital of India under British rule. The stories vary from tiny mini-stories to more fully realized folk tales. There are stories of Rajahs and Ranees, Brahmins, merchants, the god Mahadeo, viziers, weavers, barbers, sweepers, jackals and tiger, monkeys and wild geese. Stories include some that sound familiar: a King Lear story includes a Prince hurt by cut glass left purposely by the sisters of his loved one. A Brave weaver who kills 5 at one blow (like the brave little tailor) later frightens an enemy army away and another time captures a tiger. There's a prince with a squarrel bride and a black cow who provides sweets for the children who care for him. A Rajah is chosen by an elephant. A merchant who has high hopes of a rich future loses all in a misstep. A Ranee who is locked in a box and thrown in a river gives birth to a child when she is released. The fairies give the baby 3 gifts: whatever stone she treads on will change to silver or gold; whenever she laughs, flowers will fall from her lips; whenever she cries, pearls will fall from her eyes. A Zeminder who goes out to see his fortune takes questions along from those he passes. A Fakir answers all of the questions and is really responsible for the Zeminder's very good fortune. And more...much more; there are 56 stories in all.