If you’re a fan of heart-warming and inspiring stories, then you’ll love Sudha Murty’s colourful collection of stories.
Who is Sudha Murty?
Murty is a well-loved Indian author, philanthropist, and the chairperson of Infosys Foundation, who has woven her storytelling magic into the hearts of readers of all ages. A prolific writer, she writes in both English and Kannada and have been translated into several Indian languages.
Murty’s books touch upon various facets of life, culture, and human values, making her a beloved literary figure in India. She received the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature and the Padma Bhushan for social work.
Murty is best known for her enchanting range of books for children that have left an indelible mark on children’s literature. Her storytelling is rooted in Indian culture and tradition, making it particularly resonant with young readers in India.
Anand, Krishna, Raghu and Meena arrive at their grandparents’ house. Soon, everyone gathers around Ajji, as she opens her big bag of stories. From the adventurous escapades of Birbal the Wise to the heart-touching story of The Clever Girl, Murty transports young readers to a world filled with wisdom, humour, and life lessons.
The relatable characters and timeless morals make it a perfect read for kids, fostering a love for storytelling and the wisdom of generations.
It’s the year 2020. The Coronavirus has come to India and the government has announced a lockdown. The grandchildren children are stuck indoors in their grandparents’ house. The lockdown turns into a memorable time as Ajja, Ajji, the grandchildren and Kamlu Ajji spend time stitching masks, sharing household chores and preparing food for workers. But most exciting of all, the children get to her captivating tales narrated by their grandparents.
From the humorous tale of A Frightful Night to the touching The Old Woman’s Bundle, the stories celebrate family bonds and life’s simple joys.
When Nooni moves to her grandparents’ village in Karnataka, she finds herself pleasantly surprised by the unhurried pace of life. She immerses herself in various activities along with her newfound friends to keep herself busy – making papads, organising picnics, and learning to ride a bicycle.
However, her routine takes a thrilling twist when Nooni stumbles upon an ancient stepwell nestled deep within a forest. Nooni and her friends soon embark on a remarkable journey, unearthing the mystery and secrets of this ancient stepwell, and wallowing in the experience of a lifetime.
After more than a year of being in lockdown, Nooni is currently on a visit to her Ajja-Ajji in Somanahalli. She still fondly remembers the time when she explored the famous stepwell in The Magic of the Lost Temple. This time too, Nooni is thrilled to step out of her home, not realising that she’s about to uncover another piece of her family’s history.
The short fiction work takes readers on an unforgettable journey along the majestic Tungabhadra River. Through the story, Murty emphasises the importance of asking questions and preserving the answers.
A poor little girl feeds a hungry bird all the rice she has. To her surprise, she is rewarded with amazing gifts! But the girl’s greedy neighbour hears about it and tries to get bigger and better gifts for herself. What happens? Find out the answer in this enchanting collection of stories.
Why did the once sweet sea water turn salty? How did it happen that the learned teacher forgot all his lessons and had to be helped out by the school cook? And what did the king do so that the people of his kingdom did not come to know that he has horrible donkey ears hidden under his turban?
Meet a colour array of characters, including an old couple in distress who is saved by a magic drum, in this book featuring 30 timeless folk tales and other stories. Some of these stories were narrated by Murty’s grandparents when she was a child and others she heard from her friends from around the world. The collection also features popular stories like A Fair Deal, Nine Questions for a Princess and The Wise King.
Each story is a lesson in empathy, resilience, and the magic of everyday life.
The title story is a biographical anecdote of how a young Sudha Murty taught her beloved grandmother to read, so that she could read books and stories that she loved independently. This heartwarming story was included in the Class 9 English Communicative CBSE Syllabus.
This collection also features other tales that narrate Murty’s everyday experiences and interactions. Through the stories you will come across a whole host of interesting characters inspired by real people that Murty has met. The stories are filled with warmth, humour, and life lessons.
Find all books by Sudha Murty HERE
Some picks for you!
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