Indian Fairy Tales

01 Jan 0001

Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a grain seller’s son. His mom and dad loved him so much! They let him play all day and have fun, while they worked hard to take care of him. They didn’t teach him how to do anything, like a job or a chore. They didn’t think about what would happen when they weren’t around anymore, and he’d have to take care of himself. When he was old enough, they found him a wife, and they got married. Everyone was happy for a few years, until his mom and dad sadly passed away.

01 Jan 0001

THE BÉL-PRINCESS.

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a King who had seven sons. Six of his sons got married, but the youngest son didn’t want to get married. Plus, he didn’t like his six sisters-in-law (his brothers’ wives) and wouldn’t even eat food they gave him! This made the sisters-in-law super mad, and one day they teased him, “We bet you’ll marry a Bél-Princess!”

The young prince thought to himself, “A Bél-Princess? What’s that? And where do you find one? I’m going to go look for her!” But the next day, he wondered, “How am I supposed to find a Bél-Princess? I don’t even know where to start!”

01 Jan 0001

The Boy who had a Moon on his Forehead and a Star on his Chin

Watercolor illustration: Golden hour light filters through the leaves of a massive, ancient oak tree, dappling the grass with warm shadows. A young gardener’s daughter, around 8 years old, with rosy cheeks and braided brown hair, beams with a genuine, gap-toothed smile. She points upwards with a dirty, soil-stained finger towards a bird’s nest high in the branches. Seven other young girls, ranging in age, giggle and laugh with amusement, their faces flushed with joy. Some wear simple cotton dresses, others patched and worn clothing. A worn, hand-painted watering can rests near the base of the tree. Wildflowers bloom riotously in the foreground, creating a vibrant carpet of color. Soft blending, natural watercolor flow, creating a heartwarming and nostalgic atmosphere.

01 Jan 0001

The Broken Pot

Watercolor illustration of Mr. Stingy (Svabhavakripana), a thin man with a slightly hunched back, lying in a worn, straw-filled bed. He wears simple, patched earth-toned clothing, a coarse linen shirt barely covering his ribs. Above him, hanging precariously from a rusty hook on the whitewashed wall, is a large, rustic clay pot overflowing with glistening white rice. A single shaft of moonlight, piercing through a crack in the wooden shutters, illuminates the pot, casting long, dramatic shadows across the room. He gazes up at the pot with wide, greedy eyes that reflect the moonlight, a faint, almost manic smile playing on his thin lips. The room is dimly lit, the color palette muted grays and browns, emphasizing the golden glow of the rice as the focal point, contrasting with the poverty of the setting. The texture of the roughly plastered wall and the coarse blanket are visible details.

01 Jan 0001

THE BULBUL AND THE COTTON-TREE.

Watercolor illustration of a small, vibrant bulbul bird perched expectantly on a branch of a cotton tree under the warm, golden light of late morning. Light filters through the leaves, dappling the bird in shifting shadows and highlights. The tree has a single, prominent green bud, glistening with morning dew. The bird, with its head cocked inquisitively and feathers slightly ruffled by a gentle breeze, is looking intently at the bud with a hopeful, almost pleading expression. The background is a sun-drenched, cerulean sky with soft, blurred trees in the distance rendered in muted greens and blues. Fine watercolor details highlight the intricate bark of the cotton tree and the delicate veins of the leaves. Emotional tone: anticipation and hope.

01 Jan 0001

THE CAT AND THE DOG.

Cats are like aunts to tigers, and this cat in our story was the aunt of this tiger. She was his mom’s sister! When the tiger’s mom was getting very sick, she called the cat over. She took the cat’s paw and said, “When I’m gone, please take care of my little tiger.” The cat said, “Okay, I will!” Then the tiger’s mom passed away.

A watercolor illustration of a small, light brown cat with wide, emerald green eyes sitting next to a sick tiger (tiger’s mom) in a jungle clearing. The tiger’s mom looks weak and has matted fur; she’s lying down on a bed of damp leaves, her breathing shallow. The cat is gently holding the tiger’s mom’s paw with a concerned expression, her brow furrowed. Lush, emerald and jade foliage with broad leaves and trailing vines surrounds them. Dappled sunlight, warm and golden, filters through the trees, creating a play of light and shadow on the jungle floor. The overall tone is melancholic but hopeful, with a palette of muted greens, browns, and yellows, punctuated by the cat’s bright eyes.

01 Jan 0001

THE CAT WHICH COULD NOT BE KILLED.

Once upon a time, there were a dog and a cat who were always arguing! The dog would try to hit the cat, but he could never really hurt her. She would just dance around and shout, “You can’t hurt me, you can’t hurt me! My shoulder was a little sore, but now it feels all better!”

A vibrant watercolor illustration of a cartoon dog and cat arguing face-to-face at golden hour. The dog, a large, fluffy golden retriever, looks intensely frustrated with teeth bared, casting a long shadow behind him. The cat, a slightly smaller calico, dances with a mischievous grin, sunlight glinting off her fur, highlighting her vibrant orange and black markings. Splatters of bright orange and yellow paint suggest the setting sun. The background is a slightly blurred, impressionistic rendering of a cozy living room with a worn wooden floor, a plush red rug, and a glimpse of a window showing a fiery sunset. The dog’s fur is textured with short, quick brushstrokes, while the cat’s fur is smoother with delicate, overlapping washes.

01 Jan 0001

The Charmed Ring

Watercolor illustration of a kind-faced young man with sun-kissed skin and gentle eyes, giving 100 rupees to a group of villagers. The scene is bathed in the warm, golden light of late afternoon, casting long shadows across the dusty Indian village streets. The villagers, their faces etched with gratitude and weathered by the sun, hold a scruffy brown dog with matted fur and hopeful eyes. The 100 rupee note is slightly crumpled, a symbol of its value. Buildings in the background are made of mud brick, their walls adorned with faded paint and crumbling plaster, showcasing traditional Indian village architecture. Watercolors are blended softly, evoking a feeling of warmth and kindness. A small tea stall with chipped paint can be seen in the background.

01 Jan 0001

THE CLEVER WIFE.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a merchant who loved to travel. He would sail his boat to different countries to buy and sell cool stuff. One day, he told his wife, “I have to go on a trip for a whole year!” He chuckled and added, “When I get back, I hope you’ve built a super awesome well for me. And since you’re so smart, I also hope to see a little baby boy!” Then he hopped on his boat and waved goodbye.

01 Jan 0001

The Cruel Crane Outwitted

A serene and slightly melancholic watercolor illustration of a lush forest scene at twilight. Soft, golden light filters through the canopy, creating long, dappled shadows. A gentle, glowing tree spirit with a kindly, yet worried face, stands near a pond filled with vibrant, fading lotus flowers. The pond’s water level is noticeably low, exposing muddy banks and cracked earth. Several fish with large, expressive eyes swim nervously near the surface, their scales shimmering with iridescent hues. The air is thick with humidity, and the scent of damp earth hangs heavy. Artistic style: detailed watercolor with soft blending and a touch of whimsy.

01 Jan 0001

The Demon with the Matted Hair

Watercolor illustration of the Teacher (Buddha), sitting in Jetavana, surrounded by monks. The monks are young and old, their faces reflecting rapt attention. The Teacher has a serene expression, his eyes closed in contemplation, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He is seated on a simple mat beneath a bodhi tree, its leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The air is filled with the scent of incense. In the background, subtly depicted as transparent, ethereal images, are faint, ghost-like images of the Prince and the Demon, locked in their struggle and eventual understanding. These ghostly figures are integrated into the trees and foliage. The lighting is soft and diffused, creating a sense of tranquility. Color palette: Earthy tones, with soft greens and browns, and a hint of gold. Emotional tone: Peaceful, wise, contemplative. Artistic style: Watercolor with a focus on spiritual serenity and subtle details.

01 Jan 0001

THE FAKÍR NÁNAKSÁ SAVES THE MERCHANT'S LIFE.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a kind grain seller. A very good man named Nánaksá, who was a fakír (like a wise teacher), often visited him to chat.

A vibrant watercolor illustration of a kind grain seller, Nánaksá the fakír (depicted as an older, benevolent man with a simple robe, slightly tattered at the hem, and weathered hands), and the grain seller’s wife (with kind eyes and worn, practical clothing) sitting together outside the grain seller’s shop on a sunny day. Golden sunlight bathes the scene, casting long, warm shadows. The color palette is warm, with ochres, siennas, and muted greens. A frightened goat hides trembling behind the grain seller’s legs, its fur realistically rendered, with a man in roughspun clothes pulling it away with a rope. The shop has a worn wooden door and cracked clay pots are visible. Nánaksá smiles gently, while the wife looks on with a sense of peace. The air feels still and warm.

01 Jan 0001

THE FAN PRINCE.

Watercolor illustration of a kind but weary king with a long, silver-streaked beard, dressed in regal robes of deep crimson and gold, standing in a sun-drenched courtyard paved with uneven flagstones. The light is a warm, golden afternoon glow, casting long shadows. He is surrounded by his seven daughters. Six daughters, in silk dresses of varying pastel hues, are smiling and pointing towards the king with playful gestures, their laughter almost audible. The seventh, the youngest, dressed in simple white linen, looks upwards with a serene expression, her eyes catching the light. Jasmine vines climb the aged stone walls of the courtyard. Soft watercolor blending creates a gentle, nostalgic feel.

01 Jan 0001

The Farmer and the Money-lender

Watercolor illustration, late afternoon golden hour. A weary farmer with ragged, patched clothes stained with earth stands in front of the ornate, sun-drenched house of a plump and richly dressed money lender. The money lender’s house boasts intricately carved wooden doors and vibrant, blooming jasmine climbing its walls. The farmer, face etched with worry and sweat glistening on his brow, gestures with open, trembling hands in desperation. Long shadows stretch from the farmer and the house. The color palette is warm, with oranges and yellows dominating, but a somber gray clinging to the farmer. Texture: rough, woven mat outside the money lender’s door, contrasting with the smoothness of the farmer’s calloused hands.

01 Jan 0001

The Gold-giving Serpent

Watercolor illustration of Haridatta, a weary farmer in his late 50s, with a deeply lined, sun-kissed brown face etched with years of labor and worry. He wears simple, patched brown homespun clothing. He’s napping fitfully under the sprawling, gnarled branches of a colossal banyan tree in a golden wheat field, the wheat swaying gently in the breeze. The late afternoon sun casts long, dappled shadows across the field. A large, imposing cobra with scales that shimmer with subtle iridescence and a proudly raised hood is emerging from a small, crumbling earthen mound near the tree roots. The mound is covered in dry, cracked earth and scattered pebbles. The air is thick with the scent of dry grass and warm earth. Color palette is warm golds, browns, and greens, creating a feeling of peaceful weariness.

01 Jan 0001

The Ivory City and its Fairy Princess

Watercolor illustration of a young prince and his friend practicing archery in a lush green field at late afternoon. Golden sunlight casts long shadows, highlighting the prince’s focused expression as he aims an arrow. The prince wears a tunic of deep green with gold trim, while his friend, in a simple brown tunic, stands beside him, smiling and holding a polished wooden bow. An arrow streaks through the air towards a distant, multi-paned window of a nearby castle, leaving a faint blur trail. The lush grass is dotted with wildflowers in shades of yellow and purple. Texture is visible in the rough bark of a large oak tree framing the scene. The emotional tone is playful and hopeful, with a sense of youthful adventure.

01 Jan 0001

THE JACKAL AND THE KITE.

Once upon a time, there was a jackal and a kite. They lived in the same tree. The jackal lived at the bottom, and the kite lived at the top. Neither of them had any kids. One day, the kite said to the jackal, “Let’s pray to God and not eat anything for a while. Maybe then He will give us children!” The jackal said, “Okay, good idea!” That day, the kite didn’t eat anything, not even that night. But the jackal waited until night, then secretly brought a dead animal and ate it under the tree. Crunch, crunch, crunch! The kite heard her munching on the bones instead of not eating. “What’s that you’ve got there?” the kite asked. “Why are you making so much noise?” “Oh, it’s nothing,” said the jackal. “It’s just my own bones rattling around inside me when I move!” The kite went back to sleep and didn’t pay attention to the jackal. The next morning, the kite ate a little food to honor God. That night, the jackal brought another dead animal. The kite called out, “What are you crunching? Why are you making that noise? I bet you’re eating something!” The jackal said, “Oh no! It’s just my bones rattling!” So the kite went back to sleep.

01 Jan 0001

The Lambikin

A tiny, fluffy white Lambikin with oversized, wobbly legs hopping happily along a grassy path bathed in the warm golden light of late afternoon. Sunlight dappled with long shadows dances through the leaves of towering oak trees in the background, creating a sense of whimsical joy. The Lambikin has a joyous expression on its face, its wool catching the sunlight and appearing almost translucent. Soft watercolor blending gives the impression of gentle movement. The grass is a vibrant green with subtle yellow undertones, and tiny wildflowers bloom along the edge of the path. The overall tone is cheerful and innocent.

01 Jan 0001

The Magic Fiddle

Watercolor illustration, midday sun casting sharp shadows, of seven women standing around a weathered stone well, their faces etched with accusatory glares. They point dramatically at a young woman with a cracked clay jar, water spilling from its side. A small, mischievous-looking Bonga, with large, iridescent eyes, lurks nearby, partially obscured by swaying reeds. The sky is a pale cerulean blue with soft, cumulus clouds, casting a dappled light on the scene. The watercolor style emphasizes soft blending, with visible brushstrokes suggesting the rough texture of the well stones and the woven fabric of the women’s clothes. The overall tone is tense and suspicious.

01 Jan 0001

THE MAN WHO WENT TO SEEK HIS FATE.

Once upon a time, there was a very poor man. He had a wife and twelve kids, but not even one penny! The poor kids were always crying because they were hungry. The man and his wife didn’t know what to do. Finally, the man got super mad at God. He said, “God is so unfair! He gives me lots of kids, but no money!” So, he decided to go on a trip to find his luck.

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