The Baitâl Pachchisi or, The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite

The Baitâl Pachchisi or The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite by John Platts is a collection of folk tales from Indian literature, focusing on the adventures of a ghostly sprite, Baital. The stories revolve around a wise king named Vikramaditya, who is tasked with capturing the elusive Baital. Each tale presents a moral dilemma or riddle, which King Vikram must solve to continue his pursuit. The tales are rich in Indian folklore and contain elements of wisdom, trickery, and humor, reflecting the complexity of human nature and the challenges of decision-making. Platts’ translation brings these traditional stories to a wider audience.