“From popular Indian legends to tales from across the world, these are stories about extraordinary young men and women who fought for what they believed in, whether it was love, loyalty or fairness.”
NO MAJOR SPOILERS
This illustrated book of stories will be an inspiration for children who can read the tales from the Mahabharata and various other sources which include the little known tale of India’s first paralympic runner in Rig Vedic times and the story of the Buddha. These are interspersed with stories from, Persia, Portugal and Greece – Sohrab and Rustam for example is given a totally different perspective by being turned into the story of a girl who defended a fort without bringing up Sohrab’s death at his father’s hands.
Soundarya has mingled messages of self reliance and women’s empowerment with her stories and though some of them are what we would call fairy tales they are now retold in a fast paced style which is bound to appeal to today’s generation of progressive minded youngsters. Soundarya also drives home the fact that even 16 year olds like Abhimanyu have the courage to keep on fighting against all odds, so anyone can become a hero.
Reviewed by:
Anjana Basu
Added 22nd January 2021
