How the Greedy Crane Was Killed by the Clever Crab by Meena Arora Nayak (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

27^th Book of 2024

If there is one collection of short stories that everyone remember from their childhood is – it’s none other than Panchatantra. The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, arranged within a frame story. It’s intent of making children learn about animals as well as our culture through stories are dominant in all its short stories. I just read a book which has two of their short stories retold by Meena Arora Nayak in a book published by Aleph in around 32 pages.

 

The two stories included are “How the greedy crane was killed by the clever crab” and “The Tale of the Fearful Rakshasa Vikala”. The first story about the crane and crab is such a great story to have chosen by the author as it teaches a very important lesson about life. It is as much effective for adults as it is for children. Once the suspense gets unfolded wherein crane’s harmful intention and act gets revealed, the way story takes turn and teaches the lesson about how anyone looking innocent and concern can’t be trusted on face value.

 

It also talks about the difference between a friend and an enemy. Also, how there can be an enemy in the form of a friend who might be close to us but must be planning things against us. This particular story has some tough words which might make the readers pick up the dictionary and learn a new word. I liked how author also mentions about our ancient methods of nakshatra and planetary movements which impacts the life on Earth. This tells how the ancient principles weren’t superstitious but scientific and logical as well.

 

The second story about Vikala is a light-tale which speaks about how a misunderstanding makes an evil person dig his own grave without having anyone else punish him. This teaches the reader how having wrong intention and doing wrong acts shall punish us later if not sooner. The concept of Karma is indirectly shared with the young readers to get an idea about how one shouldn’t trouble anyone as someday you shall be troubled as well. The involvement of animals in this story is also magically handled.

 

Overall, both these stories are impactful and retold in a beautiful manner. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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Thanks!

 

WRITING BUDDHA