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How the Greedy Crane Was Killed by the Clever Crab
Dive into the enchanting realm of the Panchatantra, a world inhabited by scheming animals and shape-shifting beasts, a terrified princess and a fleeing thief. In this delightful collection of ancient Indian fables, you’ll meet an old crab who enlists the help of a greedy crane to escape a catastrophic collision of planets that threatens to destroy his home. Little does the crab know that the crafty bird has hatched a devious plan to keep its belly full. In a faraway kingdom, a lovelorn rakshasa visits a beautiful princess every night, leaving her trembling with fear. Soon, chaos unfolds, taking the baffled rakshasa on a wild chase through the land. Charmingly retold by bestselling author Meena Arora Nayak and brought to life with delightful illustrations, these timeless tales, packed with pithy wit and wisdom, unexpected twists and turns, and invaluable lessons about bravery and quick thinking in the face of adversity, will surely entertain a new generation of readers
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The Monkey’s Revenge
Jirnadhana, a businessman down on his luck, returns from a long journey only to find that his trusted friend has ‘misplaced’ his valuable iron scale and claims it was eaten by mice. Shocked by the silly excuse, Jirnadhana must now outwit his friend and recover his prized possession. In another tale of revenge, a king orders the execution of the monkeys in his kingdom so the royal veterinarians can use their fat to treat injured horses. Heartbroken by the loss of his family and friends, a wise monkey receives a boon from a rakshasa and devises a clever plan to seek justice against the cruel king. The two stories in this book are a magical gateway into the world of the Panchatantra, possibly the oldest surviving compilation of Indian fables. Vividly retold by bestselling author Meena Arora Nayak, this collection will captivate young readers with its lucid prose and verse and vibrant illustrations, while teaching them the power of virtue and honesty over deceit and lies.