Week 4 Extra Credit Reading: Indian Fables and Folklore

For this reading I will be covering Part A of Indian Fables and Folklore by Shovona Devi.

• The Man in the Eye is unsettling in a way that none of the other readings have been so far. The idea that death, as a person, is in all of us trying to kill us makes for a very creepy story. 



The Elephant and the Rabbit, courtesy of Whispering Books

• These stories, like the Hare in the Moon, seem to be morality tales. "No need for Strength when Wit prevails" is a valuable lesson at the end of this story, and it appears that this lesson carries through into other stories in this book. 
• I like how the author includes Authors notes before some of the stories, giving background and context. They also show some of the differences in these tales from traditional European ones. 
• I wonder why monkeys are portrayed as the stupidest animals in these tales, even though they are closest to humans. Perhaps the author is trying to make a point about humanity.  
• I like how some characters, such as the sage, have both smart and stupid moments in these stories. It makes them much more human than other storybook characters. 
• Dogs are compared to vultures. This is a very interesting change from European tales where dogs are often considered noble animals.  
• Human sacrifice seems out of place in Indian tales. It's odd that it shows up here. 
• I had never considered that the author of the original Ramayana would be a character. It makes for an interesting story. 
• I like how the stories teach characters to be balanced in religion and things like career. I feel like many old tales consist only of blood thirsty kings of hermits who spend their whole lives meditating in the forest. This is a more realistic look. 
• The idea of a mans dog entering heaven or hell with him is very interesting. 

Thanks for reading along with me this week.