Tag: Folk Tales for Children

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Kandan – An Elephant with a Free Spirit

Veena Narayan

Kandan was a temple elephant. He was extraordinarily tall even for an elephant and stood a couple of feet taller than the tallest elephants in the land. And a couple of feet broader too. His majestic bearing and long curved tusks made him a very attractive elephant indeed. But what made him truly exceptional were his intelligence and his quirky personality. Kandan was so gentle that even small children would go close to him without fear of harm. But at other times, when he wanted to, he could prove aggressive too. He was stubborn and punctual and followed rules religiously; … Continue reading Kandan – An Elephant with a Free Spirit

Folk Tales for Children4 Comments

The Naked Warrior and the Crafty Classmate

Veena Narayan

Unni had reached the capital of Travancore and was granted an audience with King Marthanda Varma. Read the first part of the story here. The next day when Unni turned up at the palace at the appointed hour, he found the fort gates locked and bolted from the inside. Normally, there would be guards posted at the entrance, but today they too were missing. Puzzled, Unni took a walk around the fort and found all the doors locked and secured and no guards at any positions. When he came back to the original entrance, he knew that the great king … Continue reading The Naked Warrior and the Crafty Classmate

Folk Tales for Children1 Comment

Exponent Extraordinaire

Veena Narayan

Kalarippayattu, the martial arts form unique to Kerala has always been part of its folklore. Thus we get to know of colourful masters who performed great deeds of valour and showed unimaginable skill. One such master of martial arts was Kallanthattil Gurukkal. It’s interesting how we rarely get to know the name of the particular individual. Here Kallanthattil is the family name and Gurukkal, the title given to him. But, what was his given name? No one knows. It has been lost in the folds of time. For the sake of narrative convenience, let’s call him Unni, a very common … Continue reading Exponent Extraordinaire

Folk Tales for Children1 Comment

The Good Doctor and the Labourer Who Made Him Cry

Veena Narayan

Aryan Narayana Mooss was a famous Ayurvedic physician who lived in Kerala more than a century ago. Read the first part of the story here. One day, Mooss was sitting on an armchair on the veranda of the southern wing of his house. A poor mappilla labourer came in through the gatehouse and approached Mooss. But when he reached the middle of the courtyard, he sat down and couldn’t move. “My lord, I can’t stand,” he said piteously and continued to sit there on the courtyard that had been flattened smooth, and swept clean. “Tell me what ails you,” said … Continue reading The Good Doctor and the Labourer Who Made Him Cry

Folk Tales for Children4 Comments

Bhima and the Runaway Forests

Veena Narayan

Bhima and his friend Mannathu Panikkar sat down to have lunch when the king’s messenger came in with an urgent message. (Read part one of the story here.) “Please read out the king’s message,” said Bhima politely. “But sir, you’re having lunch,” the messenger hesitated. “That’s okay. You said it was urgent. So lunch can wait,” said Bhima. “The neighbouring kingdom has sent a huge army to attack our land. Please help.” The messenger read out.   The Poonjaar army was battle ready but they would be outnumbered easily. Panikkar and Bhima immediately rushed out. When they reached outside it … Continue reading Bhima and the Runaway Forests