Pandit Vishnu Sharma found an ideal teaching tool in story- telling. He called his tales, the Panchatantra. Gently guiding his pupils towards a life of honour and nobility, his fables provided joyful entertainment as well. They are read even today 2,000 years later, in various languages, by peoples of diverse cultures. The stories in this collection reveal all that is foolish as well as unkind in the human character and also give some useful advice: pick your friends wisely!