Indian Folk Tale Story - Why the Fish laughed

   This Indian Folk tale story is collected from the book, named “Indian Fairy Tales”. This book is edited by Joseph Jacob, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, London in 1910. This folk tale story book holds 29 Indian folk tale stories. 

Why the Fish laughed

     Why the Fish laughed (Part-2)

            - An Indian folk tale

   Presently they had to wade through a stream that ran along the edge of the graveyard. The water was rather deep, so the old farmer took of his shoes and paijamas and crossed over; but the young man waded through it with his shoes and paijamas on.

   "Well! I never did see such a perfect fool, both in word and in work," said the old farmer to himself.

   However, he liked the fellow; and thinking that he would amuse his wife and daughter, he invited him to come and stay at his house as long as he had occasion to remain in the village.

   "Thank you very much," the young man replied; "but let me first inquire, if you please, whether the beam of your house is strong."

The old farmer left him in disappointment, and entered his house laughing.

   "There is a man in near by field," he said, after returning their greetings. "He has come the greater part of the way with me, and I wanted him to put up here as long as he had to stay in this village. But the fellow is such a fool that I cannot make anything out of him. He wants to know if the beam of this house is all right. The man must be mad!" and saying this, he burst into laughter.

   "Father," said the farmer's daughter, who was a very sharp and wise girl, "this man, whosoever he is, is no fool, as you think him. He only wishes to know if you can afford to entertain him."

Indian Folk tale - Why the Fish Laughed Part-1

   This Indian Folk tale story is collected from the book, named “Indian Fairy Tales”. This book is edited by Joseph Jacob, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, London in 1910. This folk tale story book holds 29 Indian folk tale stories.  

Why the Fish Laughed

     Why the Fish Laughed (Part -1)

             - An Indian Folk Tale 

 

   As a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish, the Queen appeared at one of the windows and pointed her to come near and show what she had. At that moment a very big fish jumped about in the bottom of the basket.

   "Is it a he or a she?" inquired the Queen. "I wish to purchase a she fish."

   On hearing this, the fish laughed loudly."It's a he," replied the fisherwoman, and proceeded on her rounds.

   The Queen returned to her room in a great rage; and on coming to see her in the evening, the King noticed that something had disturbed his Queen.

   "Are you feeling ill?" the King said.

   "No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange behaviour of a fish. A woman brought me one to-day, and on my inquiring whether it was a male or female, the fish laughed most rudely.", answered the Queen

   "A fish laugh! Impossible! You must be dreaming.", said the King.

   The Queen said to him, "I am not a fool. I speak of what I have seen with my own eyes and have heard with my own ears."

   "If it is like that, it is so strange! Be it so. I will inquire concerning it.", assured the King to his Queen.

Indian Folk tale - The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal

   This Indian folk tale story is collected from the book named “Indian Fairy Tales”, which was selected and edited by Joseph Jacobs.

The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal

 The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal - Part 2

   An Indian Folk tale

   The Brahman told it all over again , but the jackal shook his head in a distracted sort of way, and still could not understand.

   "It is very odd," said the jackal, sadly, "but it all seems to go in at one ear and out at the other! I will go to the place where it all happened, and then perhaps I shall be able to give a judgment."

   So they returned to the cage, by which the tiger was waiting for the Brahman, and sharpening his teeth and claws.

   "You have been away a long time!" growled the tiger, "but now let us begin our dinner."

   "Our dinner!" thought the wretched Brahman, as his knees knocked together with fright; "what a remarkably delicate way of putting it!"

   "Give me five minutes, my lord!" he pleaded, "in order that I may explain matters to the jackal here, who is somewhat slow in his understandings."

   The tiger consented on that and the Brahman began the whole story over again to the jackal, not missing a single detail, and spinning as long a yarn as possible.

Indian Folk tale - The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal

   This Indian Folk tale story is collected from the book named “Indian Fairy Tales”, which was selected and edited by Joseph Jacobs.

The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal

The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal - Part 1

   An Indian Folk tale

    
   Once upon a time, a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through the bars, and rolled and bit with rage and grief when he failed.

   By chance a poor Brahman came by. "Let me out of this cage, oh pious one!" cried the tiger.

   "No, my friend," replied the poor Brahman gently, "you would probably eat me if I did."

   "Not at all!" swore the tiger with many promises; "on the opposing, I should be for ever grateful, and serve you as a slave!"

   Now when the tiger cried and sighed, wept and swore. Then the pious Brahman's heart was softened and at last he agreed to open the door of the cage. 

   Then unexpectedly the tiger was seized the poor Brahman and cried, "What a fool you are! What is to prevent my eating you now, for after being caged up so long I am just terribly hungry!"

An Indian Folk tale - How the wicked sons were duped

   This Indian folk tale story is collected from the book named “Indian Fairy Tales”, which was selected and edited by Joseph Jacobs.

    How the wicked sons were duped

   Once upon a time, there was a very wealthy old man in India. He was imagining that he was on the point of death, sent for his sons and divided his property among them. However, he did not die for several years afterwards; and miserable years many of them were. Besides the weariness of old age, the old man had to bear with much abuse and cruelty from his sons.Wretched, selfish ingrates! Previously they vied with one another in trying to please their father, hoping thus to receive more money, but now they had received their patrimony, they cared not how soon he left them—nay, the sooner the better, because he was only a needless trouble and expense. And they let the poor old man know what they felt.

   One day the old man met one of his friends and related to him all his troubles. The friend sympathized very much with him, and promised to think over the matter, and call in a little while and tell him what to do. The old man did so; in a few days he visited the old man and put down four bags full of stones and gravel before him.