Village Folk-Tales of Ceylon, Volume 3 (of 3)

This volume gathers a lively assortment of Sri Lankan village folk‑tales, preserving the cadence of oral storytelling that has been passed down through generations. The collection was assembled over a century ago, yet the scenes of riverbanks, forest clearings and bustling villages feel vivid and immediate. Listeners will hear the simple yet resonant language that brings the island’s rural world to life, from the chirping of parrots to the rustle of reeds.

Among the stories, a hare, a mouse‑deer and a talkative parrot negotiate friendship and loyalty, while a thirsty deer guides a crowd of birds, a turtle and even a jackal to a hidden water‑hole during a years‑long drought. Their encounters blend humor with gentle moral lessons, showing how trust can be tested and generosity rewarded. The tales invite you to share in the timeless wisdom and playful imagination that animate everyday life in traditional Ceylon.