Every country
has its own folklores and Burma is no exception to this notion. Burmese
Folktales is a children’s book in which there are twenty stories from forgotten
kingdoms retold by Madhu Gurung. The stories covered in this easy-to-read book
are purely for children because every story starts with the same opening
statement: Once upon a time….
The Author
Madhu Gurung heard these tales from the locals of Myanmar during her three years
stay in the country on account of an army posting, since her husband is in the
Indian Army. In particular, the stories are from undefined eras when only kings
and kingdoms existed, therefore most of the stories involve kings, sword
battles, kingdom expansion and invasion, and the test of mettle of rulers who
often take the challenges to prove their substance.
The first
story is about a crocodile brought up by a childless couple but as the
crocodile grows young and arrogant, he one day devours the old man who had
saved and brought him. However, in the next birth the old man rebirths as a
magician and kills the crocodile to avenge his last birth’s humiliation. The
story is about deeds and revenge.
The last story
Udena and the Elephants is a long story in which a prince was born in a dark
forest under adverse circumstances and he grows up with a powerful hermit who
teaches him how to control and entice elephants by playing harp. When he
masters the art, he goes back to his father’s kingdom, takes up the challenge
and then after proving his worth and the identity he reclaims his princely
status by becoming the king of that kingdom. However, soon he is abducted by a
neighboring king so that the king can learn his magical powers. Udena makes his
daughter fall in love with him and then one day they run away, spoiling all the
plans of his enemy.
The book is well
suited for children aged under ten. Overall all the stories in the book are
like the stories told in the Hindu mythology. Mothers and grandparents can
definitely look up to read these stories for their kids and growing children
during bed time. Interestingly, all stories convey important messages and moral
values to its readers, they aren’t just plain ones. For light and racy read,
the book is perfect for any boring afternoon.
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