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A starving Fox was out and about in a steppe, prowling around for food. At sight of her, in fear, a little mouse had scurried for safety. A little bird, foraging upon the ground, sensed danger and flew off. On glimpsing her, a steppe rat vanished from sight. And so, the Fox had searched and searched, and searched about, and feeling weak and weary at last, she groaned in despair: - O Lord! How much longer should I be hungry, looking for a morsel, all day long? O dear Lord, let it so come to pass that, only once, I may have plenty to eat and be full. Please, God, fulfill my dream. When suddenly, she saw a peasant walking on his way to work, and carrying a bundle on his scythe. - God must have heard my cry. Now, all I ought to do is just to steal his food, and eat it, - said the Fox, licking her chops, and stealthily followed behind him. The peasant came to the edge of a wheat field, put his bundle dawn under a bush, then walked into the field and began cutting. The Fox waited patiently, until cutting the wheat, the peasant went well far into the field. She then slunk to the bush, untied the bundle, and found a jar of porridge. The Fox had gobbled the porridge with great relish, and filled her stomach to her heart's content. But, as they say, "the belly of the wicked always wants more." And so, with much effort, somehow or other, the Fox pushed her head down inside the jar, and licked the last bits off the bottom.

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This book is a collection of Bactrian folk tales. Bactria was an ancient country stretching from the Hindu Kush to the Oxus River. The exciting and extraordinary story of Bactria has given it a place of unique significance in the Ancient World. It was in this land that 3500 years ago the great messenger Zoroaster, revered as the founder of the first world religion, was born and gained his first adherents. It was through Bactria that the ancient arteries of trade ran to the East and West, bringing caravans laden with silk and pearls from Asia to Europe. And It was where the Hellenic World of ancient Greece merged into the East.

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Once upon a time there lived a little Goat, who had long curly locks of mohair covering her legs, and for this reason, fondly dubbed the "Curly Legs." The Curly Legs had three kids, named Alulak, Bululak, and Khishtaki Sari Tanurak. One day, before leaving for pasture, she summoned her kids, and said: - My Alulak, my Bululak, and my Khishtaki Sari Tanurak. I am leaving for pasture. I shall bring you grass on my horns, water in my mouth, and milk in my udder. Lock the door and do not open it for anyone but me! Shortly, when the Curly Legs departed home, a Dog had scurried to the door, and growled: - My Alulak, my Bululak, and my Khishtaki Sari Tanurak, open the door! The kids, however, recognized the Dog by his husky voice, and did not open the door. Disheartened, the Dog lowered his head and wandered away. Soon afterwards, a Jackal slunk up to the door, and yowled plaintively: - My Alulak, my Bululak, and my Khishtaki Sari Tanurak, open the door! The kids, however, recognized the Jackal by his howling voice, and did not open the door. Disappointed at his ill success, the Jackal turned and ambled away. Once the Jackal vanished from sight, a Wolf crept to the door from around the corner, whence he was watching furtively and listening to every word intently, the entire time, and spoke, disguising his voice to sound like the Curly Legs: - My Alulak, my Bululak, and my Khishtaki Sari Tanurak. I brought you grass on my horns, water in my mouth, and milk in my udder. Open the door, I am your mother. The kids mistook the Wolf for their mother and opened the door. The wicked Wolf thereupon rushed in, and forthwith gobbled them up. And with his belly full to bursting, shambled away.

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Once, a long time ago, there lived a Lion, the King of Animals, who had grown old and sick, and could no longer hunt for his food. And so, he summoned the Fox - his chief advisor, and the Jackal - his servant, to hear his words, and said: - For long, long years you have been feeding on my kills. And now, when I am old and ill, you must concern yourselves with seeking food for me! The Fox bowed obedience with all due reverence, excused herself, and retired from the royal presence, to hunt meat for the Lion. Whilst the Fox was wandering about in search of prey, she happened to cross paths with a Gazelle, and said: - Hey, Gazelle! Did you know our great King, the Lion, had fallen sick unto death and pledged hereby he would not shed henceforth blood of his subjects, and vowed not to ever again prey upon them? Don't you think, for such great mercy and kindness of His Majesty, we ought to go before him, and evince our gratitude?

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