Overview of the Book

It is a jewel of world heritage and one of the finest works of literature that has transcended the boundaries of place and time to remain alive among us to this day. It is a book that delights children with its stories, while adults draw from it numerous profound meanings. The work is imbued with the richness of the greatest Eastern civilizations, as it is the result of the convergence of three cultures—Indian, Persian, and Arab. It is commonly attributed to the Indian sage Bidpai, who composed it as counsel for King Dabshalim. The book later entered Persian literature when Barzويه translated it into the Pahlavi language and added to it, and finally reached Arabic literature through the translation of Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffaʿ, who in turn enriched it with his own additions.