The Baitâl Pachchisi; Or, The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite Translated From the Hindi Text of Dr. Duncan Forbes

"The Baitâl Pachchisi; Or, The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite" by John T. Platts et al. is a collection of old stories from India that mixes folklore with lessons about what is right and wrong, and how people act. These stories follow King Vikram, a strong ruler, as he meets a sprite named Baitâl. Baitâl tells Vikram stories that end with tricky questions about morals. These tales present legends, demons, kings, and magical creatures, challenging Vikram and the reader to think about fairness, duty, and the results of people's choices. The opening sets up Vikram's character as he takes the throne, then gives it all up to wander. Overall, the book uses these imaginative stories to tackle complex ideas about what it means to be good and just.