Jirnadhana, a businessman down on his luck, returns from a long journey only to find that his trusted friend has ‘misplaced’ his valuable iron scale and claims it was eaten by mice. Shocked by the silly excuse, Jirnadhana must now outwit his friend and recover his prized possession. In another tale of revenge, a king orders the execution of the monkeys in his kingdom so the royal veterinarians can use their fat to treat injured horses. Heartbroken by the loss of his family and friends, a wise monkey receives a boon from a rakshasa and devises a clever plan to seek justice against the cruel king.

The two stories in this book are a magical gateway into the world of the Panchatantra, possibly the oldest surviving compilation of Indian fables. Vividly retold by bestselling author Meena Arora Nayak, this collection will captivate young readers with its lucid prose and verse and vibrant illustrations, while teaching them the power of virtue and honesty over deceit and lies.