Folk-Tales of Bengal

"Folk-Tales of Bengal" by Lal Behari Day is a collection of traditional folk tales written in the late 19th century. The book compiles stories that reflect the rich cultural and social life of Bengal, drawing on the narratives shared by local storytellers. These tales often feature themes of love, loyalty, magic, and moral lessons, illustrating the complexities of human experiences against a backdrop of myth and folklore. The opening of "Folk-Tales of Bengal" introduces the author's motivation for collecting these stories, starting with a nostalgic recollection of hearing tales from an old woman in his village. The author recounts his interactions with various storytellers, ultimately finding a Bengali Christian woman who shares some tales of her own. This portion sets the stage for the collection, indicating that the stories are rooted in genuine local tradition. The first story, "Life's Secret," begins with a king and his two queens, touching on themes of jealousy, loyalty, and life intertwined with magical elements, such as the prince Dalim Kumar's life being bound to a boal fish, which indicates an intertwining of fate and folklore that will permeate through the tales that follow.