Fables across Time: Kalila and Dimna

Fables and fairy tales featuring dynamic animal characters have captured the imaginations of children and adults around the world for thousands of years. Tales are often handed down from generation to generation because of their compelling story lines and the wisdom they offer. Fables relate to our lives, no matter who we are or where we live. Kalila wa Dimna (Kalila and Dimna) is a collection of animal fables that centers around the jackals Kalila and Dimna, who are also brothers. The story cycle originated in India more than two thousand years ago and circulated widely in the Near East. It is considered one of the most popular collections of stories ever written. Three of the stories have been adapted in this book; they are tales about resourcefulness, jealousy, and friendship.