Customer Reviews

Pakistani Folk Tales: Toontoony Pie and Other Stories

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Toontoony Pie has been on my "buy a copy" list for a long time. I'm delighted that Hippocrene has reprinted it (originally published in 1961). Twenty-two Punjab and Bengal stories are printed here. The first one, "Toontooony pie," related the story of a crafty warbler bird whose name was Toontoony. He moved some of the king's gold to his nest. When the king took some of it back, Toontoony shamed him, angered him, and the king had him trapped. One of the king's daughters inadvertenetly allowed to bird to escape before he could be made into the pie the king had ordered. The daughters trapped a frog for the pie, but Toontoony sang, "The king ate frog pie/ thinking it was I." The daughteers lost their ears for making frog pie, but the king was even further defeated by the bird. Toontoony flew away scot free. Another tale told how a jackal bamboozled a crocodile, still another told how an honest sparrow tricked a crow into a quest that led the crow to an ashy death. A jackal played "Puss-in-Boots" for a humble weaver who eventually married a princess. This collection is a charming assembly of interesting tales.

I needed some pakistani folktales to read out to 5th graders at my son's international school to acquaint them with Pakistani tales, alongside other culuturally relevant activities. To my amazement, there were NO pakistani folktales available in ANY leading bookstore in Pakistan...! Not Lahore, Karachi or Islamabad. surprisingly , folktales from many other countries... but not Pakistan... strange.. for some of the top book sellers in Pakistan. (I admit i didnt go into the little book stores, which often contain hidden treasures for a lack of time) Thankfully, I found this title on line, and the cover looked appealing. And although its not exactly what I needed since I wanted more colourful illustrations and shorter stories to read out to the kids, its a wonderfully written book and I will tell the stories to my own children.
I think this possibly identifies a gap in the market. Maybe someone can take up with the author (Ashraf Siddiqui)or the publisher....?
Also, I live in Bangkok and it was quite a task for me to find someone to take delivery in the states and bring it to me in bangkok. It would be great if amazon could facilitate international shipment to those sellers on amazon who find it difficult to do it themselves.
But thank you to amazon and brightxcapes, since I wouldnt have been able to get this book (or a similair one) otherwise!