These tales were collected in the tribal areas of the Pakistan – Afghan border, a region once described as ‘the last free place on earth’, where the caravan routes from Persia, India and China once converged.

With a blend of wit, fantasy, comedy and romance, the tales reflect the Pashtun code of honour and way of life, now seriously threatened by social change and political upheaval.

Contents: Wit and Intelligence: Luck and intelligence • The king and the clever vizier • Sweeter than salt • The gardener’s daughter • Sass Begum • The Clever princess • Virtues and Vices: The greedy king • The sin of pride • The two viziers • The lion of the jungle • Miracles and Magic: The great saint • The saint of Baghdad • The fakir and the Princess • Musa Khan Deo • Khurram Deo • The Man-eater • The Prince and the Fairy • Courtship and infidelity: The parror and the starling • The prince and the fakir • The dancing dolls • The Merchant and the parrot • Gul and sanobar • The three friends • Epic and Romance: The shy prince • The King’s dream • Prince bagram • Hazrat Ali Sahib • The simurgh • Comedy and Farce: The woodcutter • The swindlers • The Barber’s son • The Shepherd • The weavers • Nasruddin, the holy man • The barber and the farmer’s wife.