Description

Why did I write this book?

The book is a sincere endeavor to entertain and educate children through the age-old formula of stories. The stories retold here with a fresh perspective are geared to make children independent thinkers; to be able to discriminate between right and wrong; choose the righteous path; be a pride to their parents, educational institutions, and the society at large.

Who is this book for?

Children of impressionable age, 6 years to 11 years. Adults who read for them or for adults like me who simply love to keep the child in them alive by reading children’s literature.

What will the children gain from it?

Wisdom and Values for life. I can say with conviction that they will ask for more and more stories. My grandchildren, 7 and 11 do.

Whatever be the age, stories hold a fascination for us. Imagine we are listening to a lecture or a discourse and suddenly the speaker announces, “OK, let me share a story with you all.” Would we not all straighten ourselves up, all ears?

That is why every scripture is replete with stories. Ancient wisdom knew how to capture the attention of human beings.

Yes, it is urgent and imperative we give our children what is natural as part of growing up. Childhood is meant for play, stories, mischievousness, learning the soft skills to live in the society as one among others with humility, at the same time stand out unique. The stories presented here will plant the seeds of social skills too.

“There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.” – Ursula K. LeGuin

We are all descendants of such people who realized the importance of stories. As long as there have been people, they have told stories. Stories are a great way to get the benefit of someone else’s experience to know what to do, what not to do.

We, as human beings, are also hardwired to feel what others feel. Empathy is a virtue worth nurturing in children. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic, many children learned the value of compassion, friendliness, and empathy. Stories have always emphasized such values.

Compelling stories contain conflict. It makes reading or listening thrilling. They teach children to survive life’s difficult situations with alacrity and wisdom.

I read somewhere that stories without a point are like ‘junk food’ or ‘bubble gum’. They may entertain but do not nourish. A good story does entertain as well as nourish children for life. Have we ever forgotten the stories we heard or read as children? It feels like the story and the storyteller both have become part of our DNA!

The joy of holding a book is very therapeutic and we need to ensure our children don’t miss out on such a wonderful heritage of reading or listening to a loved one. Yes, I reiterate, it is a heritage that needs to be restored and preserved with urgency. Ageless Tales aims to do just that. To kindle interest in reading a book or listening to a story from a book.

There is a story about six blind men who had no idea what an elephant looked like. Each one feels a part of the elephant and draws a conclusion, ‘the elephant is like a snake’, ‘the elephant is like a rope’, ‘the elephant is ‘like a tree, ‘…like a wall’, ‘…like a fan’, ‘…like a sharp and tough thing’. They all had part of the truth but refused to discuss and know the whole truth. If they had, all of them would have benefitted. Therefore, in order to get a comprehensive picture of the stories read, I thought of throwing in a surprise by adding an addendum ‘Meet-Greet-Celebrate’, that would leave children and adults in a happy, jubilant mood while learning a lesson or two for life. I rejoiced while conceiving and writing it and cannot wait for you to join in. Get a copy of Ageless Tales now!