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Folktales

The four friends hanging out in the forest.

The four friends

An unusual group of four friends lived deep inside a forest. The four friends were: a deer, a crow, a mole and a tortoise. They would meet every afternoon under a shady banyan tree and talk for hours. One day, the deer did not turn up at the usual time.…
  • by Krishna Rao
  • August 14, 2022
  • 3 minute read
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Sheikh Chilli kept dreaming and didn't see the bull standing on the road!

Sheikh Chilli’s Grand Plan

One day Sheikh Chilli set out to sell mustard oil. He walked with an oil vessel on his head and dreams in his head. “I will get a good price for the oil. What shall I do with the money I’m going to earn?” he wondered. Just then a herd…
  • by Subba Rao
  • September 9, 2020
  • 1 minute read
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The barber showing the ghost its own reflection

The ghost catcher

Sanju was a barber. He would roam from place to place to find clients looking to get a haircut or a shave. He carried all his tools safely in a small box. The box had a pair of scissors, shaving blades, combs and a mirror. Sanju used to take it…
  • by Subba Rao
  • July 25, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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The secret is out

Baluram, the barber, was carrying a secret in his head. But that secret had made his tummy big. Finding this unbearable, Baluram shouted the secret into a tree hollow. Baluram’s tummy shrunk back to its normal size, and the secret was safe. (Read the previous story) Let’s see what happens…
  • by Subba Rao
  • June 19, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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Baluram being checked by the doctor

Baluram’s secret

Baluram was the royal barber. Every month, a chariot would come to his house, to take him to the palace where he would give the king a royal haircut. Baluram’s friends teased him, “The king must be generous. A big tummy is a sign of prosperity.” Baluram would join his…
  • by Subba Rao
  • June 19, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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Raman helps a merchant find his camel

Raman the detective

Tenali Raman was once walking along a forest path when he was stopped by a merchant. “I’m looking for my camel which has strayed away. Did you see it passing by?” asked the merchant. “Had the camel hurt its leg?” asked Raman. “Oh yes! That means you have seen my…
  • by Subba Rao
  • October 27, 2022
  • 2 minute read
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Two women fighting over crying child

The real mother

Two women were fighting over a child. “He is my child, leave him alone,” cried the lady in the red sari. The poor child was too young to speak. “No, he is mine,” cried the woman in the green sari. Soon a crowd gathered. The village elders took the quarreling…
  • by Subba Rao
  • October 27, 2022
  • 2 minute read
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The generous Rantideva welcoming guests into his home

The generosity of Rantideva

Rantideva was born in a rich family. Even as a child, he would share his riches with the needy. He got married and had sons. With no thought for the future, Rantideva and his wife continued to be generous. No one went away from their home empty-handed.Ultimately, Rantideva ran out…
  • by Subba Rao
  • January 17, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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scholars and the cap-seller

Lost and found

Ten pundits (holy men) went to the Ganga to take a dip in the river. They held each other’s hands as they took dips thrice. When they came up the third time, they were not holding hands. “Let’s make sure all of us have come out of the river safely,”…
  • by Subba Rao
  • January 9, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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The making of Hanumanji

Ronak was feeling bad. The coach was nasty to him. He had given him a scolding in front of his friends, asking him not to show his face if he was not interested in the game. Ronak decided to bury his dream of becoming a footballer. But he still felt…
  • by Subba Rao
  • January 25, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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