Old Deccan Days; or, Hindoo Fairy Legends Current in Southern India

The collection opens a window onto the everyday magic of the Deccan plateau, where stories have been whispered around hearths for generations. Gathered from the Lingaet community—a distinct, industrious group of southern Hindus—the tales retain the cadence of oral performance and the flavor of local customs. The introduction paints a vivid picture of the region’s ancient ruins, bustling markets, and the subtle ways belief weaves through daily life.

Within the volume, listeners will meet clever jackals outwitting proud merchants, a stubborn sparrow defending its nest, and a brave young heroine confronting a fearsome rakshasa. Each narrative balances humor with moral insight, offering lessons on humility, justice, and the power of wit without ever losing its enchanting charm. The stories are short enough to enjoy in a single sitting, yet rich enough to linger in the imagination long after the final line.