Folktales from India, Karnataka, Oral Stories from Rural India
Published on 26/08/2025
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If it Isn’t You, It Must Be Your Father

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A Short History of Folktales in India

Folktales are Oral stories that are passed down by the elders to the younger generation. For centuries, folktales have been a crucial medium for preserving cultural traditions and teaching the youth to understand the world around them.

A Folktale From Rural Karnataka

Once a lamb was drinking water in a mountain stream. A tiger came to drink the water a few yards above him, saw the lamb, and said, ‘why are you muddying my stream?’

The lamb said, How can I muddy your water? I am down here and you are up there.’

‘But you did it yesterday,’ said the tiger.

‘I wasn’t even here yesterday!’

‘Then it must have been your mother.’

My mother died a long time ago. They took her away.’

‘Then it must have been your father.’

‘My father? I don’t even know who he is,’ said the desperate lamb, getting ready to run.

‘I don’t care. It must be your grandfather or great-grandfather who has been muddying my stream. I am going to eat you,’ said the tiger. And he pounced on the lamb, tore him to pieces, and made a meal of him.

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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

24 Comments

    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you Veer. It really made my day reading your lovely comments.

      Thank you. It was my pleasure to have come to your site and read Chandoba. Thank you again.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. aparnachillycupcakes's avatar
    aparnachillycupcakes says

    This fable, teaches a powerful lesson: when a person in power wants to justify their actions, they will find a reason to do so, regardless of logic or truth. The tiger’s goal was to eat the lamb, and the “muddy water” was just a convenient excuse.
    Namaste! It was a pleasure reading the blog. 🤍🌸

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Veerites's avatar
    veerites says

    Dear Narayan
    It’s a marvelous experience to read your posts & to know you through those.
    Thank you for liking my post ‘Left4’🙏😊

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

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