Simla Village Tales; Or, Folk Tales from the Himalayas

** "Simla Village Tales; Or, Folk Tales from the Himalayas" by Alice Dracott is a gathering of old stories that shows off the history of sharing stories in the Himalayas, shining a light on what the people there believe and how they live. You'll meet smart animals, beings with magical powers, and regular people, and the stories teach important lessons about being wise, doing what's right, and what makes the communities special. We find out why these stories are being saved as Dracott shares how her family helped collect them from local women, wanting to make sure these special folk tales aren't forgotten as the world changes. The first few tales, like one where an owl and a kite argue in court, mix animals with human traits to both entertain and teach some serious life lessons. Basically, the start of the book sets the stage for a fun trip into age-old wisdom, all wrapped up in the catchy tales from the Himalayas. **