71 Golden Tales of Panchatantra: Collection 1

The Panchatantra Stories are over 5000 years old. Originally narrated in Sanskrit, they were popularised in their present form by Pandit Vishnu Sharma. Legend has it that King Amar Shakti asked Pandit Sharma to impart worldly wisdom to his three sons. Pandit Sharma agreed to do this within six months. Thereupon, he narrated stories daily with subtle messages that taught various qualities for success and survival, such as unity, friendship, firmness of mind, earnestness, etc. These tales were called Panchatantra. Panch means five, and tantra refers to codes of conduct. The stories were largely based on animal characters, making it very interesting for children. About The Mumbai-based Santhini Govindan is an award-winning children's writer. Many of her short stories have appeared in The Hindu, The Deccan Herald, The Sunday Observer, Children's World, Tinkle, Champak, Children's Digest, PCM Children's Magazine and Highlights for Children (published from Pennsylvania, USA).