English

‘Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime’ is a darkly comic short story by Oscar Wilde. The story follows Lord Arthur, who is informed by a fortune teller that he will become a murderer. This revelation deeply disturbs Lord Arthur and to unburden his mind, he decides to murder someone at once and forget the whole ordeal. However, Lord Arthur discovers that this task is not as simple as it seems, and a comedy of errors ensues as he concocts more and more ludicrous schemes to achieve his goal, from poison to dynamite and beyond. This short is social satire at its finest as the nobleman travels further into a labyrinth of insanity and murder simply because it is his supposed fate to do so. ‘Lord Arthur Savile's Crime’ is a hilarious parody of the Gothic genre and portrays Oscar Wilde as a comedic genius. This wickedly entertaining short is recommended for fans of Franz Kafka.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was a popular Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet. Some of his most celebrated and well-read works are ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Wilde’s life ended in tragedy as he was sentenced to prison due to acts of gross indecency with men and died at a young age shortly after being released. Although Wilde’s life was cut short, his influence lives on to this day and he is celebrated as one of the finest writers of his time. His work has been adapted for stage and screen many times, including an announced ‘Dorian Gray’ film directed by musician St. Vincent.

Jerry has been left in charge of a cable-rig across the Sacramento River when his father is forced to visit San Francisco. He is proud of his new responsibility, but when a surprising turn of events takes place, he is required to make quick decisions and face great danger. Is he up to the task, with no one there to help or guide him?This dramatic short story written by Jack London dates back to the early 20th century and is set in the San Francisco Bay Area where the author was born. It proffers titillating suspense along with the hallmark descriptive vibrancy and vividness for which London is adored across the world.Jack London has proven a timeless influence for writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, and Robert Ruark.Jack London (1876–1916) was an American writer and social activist. He grew up in the working class, but became a worldwide celebrity and one of the highest paid authors of his time. He wrote several novels, which are considered classics today, among these 'Call of the Wild', 'Sea Wolf' and 'White Fang'.

Exquisitely deploying the story-within-a-story narrative, 'Honorine' is a tale casting piercing insight into the fabric of the human condition.Comtesse Honorine de Bauvan was married off to the Comte at the age of nineteen. After being unfaithful, she is abandoned by her lover when she falls pregnant. She leads a simple but comfortable life and earns a living by crafting artificial flowers. What she doesn't know is that her comfort is assured by way of her husband paying exorbitant prices to buy her flowers.Described as a psychological novel that delves into the differences between a man's love and a woman's love, it is one of Balzac's more mature works. Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert and Emile Zola were naturalist writers who were directly influenced by Balzac.A must-read for fans of the 2004 movie 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet which explores similar themes of lost love from a psychological perspective.Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, most famous for his collection of novels and plays, collectively called 'The Human Comedy'. His detailed observation of humanity and realistic depiction of society makes him one of the earliest representatives of realism in Europe. He was a master-creator of complex characters that often found themselves in ambiguous moral dilemmas.

'The Ball at Sceaux' is one of the oldest books in Balzac's 'The Human Comedy' series. It tells the story of Émilie de Fontaine, a pretentious and spoiled young lady who refuses to love anyone who is not known in French high society. At the ball she falls in love with a handsome and mysterious young man, who is revealed to be the taciturn Maximilien Longueville. Émilie's family later discovers that Maximilien is concealing the fact that he is a shopkeeper at a Paris marketplace, which horrifies Émilie. But all is not what it seems, as Émilie is soon to find out after she abandons Maximilien for a rich man she does not love.Inspired by Aleksandr Pushkin’s 'Eugene Onegin' and the fables of La Fontaine, in particular 'The Girl' and 'The Heron'. This Balzacian novella is a wonderful and enthralling read, where the mysterious and unknown tightly grips the reader well past the final page. It is one of the sheer joys of 'The Human Comedy' that we will meet these characters again in other stories.Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, most famous for his collection of novels and plays, collectively called 'The Human Comedy'. His detailed observation of humanity and realistic depiction of society makes him one of the earliest representatives of realism in Europe. He was a master-creator of complex characters that often found themselves in ambiguous moral dilemmas.

‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ is one of Charles Dickens’ most beloved novels about a poor orphan girl, Nell, and her caring grandfather. In an attempt to improve Nell’s life, her grandfather accepts a loan from the cruel and conniving landlord, Quilp, and begins gambling but this only worsens their fortune. After issues with the police, Nell and her grandfather set out on a grand adventure and meet many of Dickens’ most memorable characters as Nell’s health deteriorates. ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ is an incredible drama involving love, betrayal, and death that blends the fantastical nature of Nell’s journey with Dickens’ realistic criticism of living conditions in Victorian slums. The story caused mania at the time as Little Nell captured the hearts of readers around the globe including Queen Victoria. Nell and her grandfather have captivated audiences for generations in this timeless story that is equally as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking, and it is recommended for readers of all ages.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a widely popular English author and social critic. Among his most famous novels are ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, and ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens is best known for his depictions of poor Victorian living conditions and his unforgettable characters, some compassionate and others grotesquely malicious. Dickens’ timeless tales are still as celebrated today as when they were written, and his literary style is so influential that the term Dickensian was coined to describe the literature he inspired. Many of Dickens’ novels have been adapted for movies and television, including the Academy Award-winning musical ‘Oliver’.

Rancher Dick Forrest finds himself in the midst of a horrific and utterly unexpected predicament - his wife Paula has fallen in love with another man. The man who has become the object of Paula's affections is in fact a close friend of Forrest which makes the affair virtually unbearable.Paula can’t have her cake and eat it too – but can she find a way out of the present dire circumstances without inflicting irrevocable damage or death?'The Little Lady of the Big House' is a tragic novel by Jack London first published in 1916. A world-renowned author who took the world by storm following the release of the 'Call of The Wild'. London's naturalistic style exerted an enormous influence upon future novelists such as Ernest Hemingway, Cormac McCarthy, and William Faulkner.Jack London (1876–1916) was an American writer and social activist. He grew up in the working class, but became a worldwide celebrity and one of the highest paid authors of his time. He wrote several novels, which are considered classics today, among these 'Call of the Wild', 'Sea Wolf' and 'White Fang'.

'David Copperfield' features Dickens' most popular protagonist and is often described as the author's masterpiece. The novel follows the life of the titular hero, who battles hardship and villainous characters as he attempts to achieve his dreams of becoming an author and finding true love. It is a panoramic novel, as Copperfield embarks on a marvellous journey across England and Europe, encountering many memorable characters and humorous situations along the way. Dickens drew from his own life experiences to create a deeply personal and poignant novel that has been embraced and adored by readers around the globe for generations. 'David Copperfield' expertly blends comedy and tragedy, creating an entertaining and compelling story that is suitable for readers of all ages and preferences. This classic novel was adapted by the creator of 'Veep' into the critically acclaimed movie 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' starring Academy Award-nominated actor Dev Patel in 2019.-

'Eugenie Grandet' is one of the earliest and most famous novels in Balzac's 'The Human Comedy' cycle. The dreary Grandet household, inundated by the overwhelming greed and miserliness of Grandet himself, is rudely awakened from its suffocating bleakness by the arrival of young Eugenie's elegant and coiffed Parisian cousin Charles. Newly orphaned and without a cent to his name. Eugenie Charles' arrival is a light at the end of the tunnel and the start of an amorous blossoming. For the provincial Midas Grandet, it's the perfect opportunity to test the limits of his callousness. Little does Eugenie suspect, Grandet will not be the last unscrupulous individual close to her that she will have to grapple with.An extraordinarily incisive, moral yet entertaining story struck by tragedy, Balzac's 'Eugenie Grandet' presents a scathing social critique of provincial attitudes and greed in the aftermath of the French Revolution that still remains relevant today. It summons to mind the Charles Dickens classic 'Oliver Twist', but infused far more strongly with Balzac's trademark scathing sardonic wit. -

Sarla wished she could fly high like an eagle or like an aeroplane. Of course you can fly, said her new teacher. Here, Sarla shares all that she has learnt about flight and aeroplanes.'How Do Aeroplanes Fly?' (English), written by Aditi Sarawagi, illustrated by Lavanya Karthik, supported by Oracle, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2016) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

It's time to bring out Meenu's smart winter uniform and the air is filled with the aroma of roasted nuts. It must be winter in Bengaluru! Follow Meenu, Amma and Rajni as they show us some of the winter traditions they have in Karnataka and tell us of other winter traditions in Himachal and Gujarat.'Hot Tea and Warm Rugs' (English), written by Mala Kumar, Manisha Chaudhry, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2012) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

‘The Eternal Husband’ is a tragicomic novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky about Trusotsky, a widower who discovers that his wife had an affair with an old friend, Velchaninov. The story follows Trusotsky and Velchaninov as they embark on a misadventure to find Trusotsky a new wife while the tension between them grows to a violent climax. ‘The Eternal Husband’ is a critically acclaimed story teeming with romance, betrayal, and death. Dostoevsky examines the role of women in society in this tale, as the female characters are at once both repressed by society but hold power over men due to their charm and apparent virtue. This story portrays corrupt characters exploring an equally corrupt world in which no one is clean, but Dostoevsky’s incredible character work creates sympathy for those perhaps undeserving in a way that only he can. This classic novella is both ironic and melancholy and is recommended for fans of Samuel Beckett or Russian literature in general.Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels ‘Crime and Punishment’, ‘The Idiot’, and ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. James Joyce described Dostoevsky as the creator of ‘modern prose’ and his literary legacy is influential to this day as Dostoevsky’s work has been adapted for many movies including ‘The Double’ starring Jesse Eisenberg.

‘A Nasty Story’ is a hilarious look into the world of humanitarian high society by Dostoevsky. This farcical story revolves around Pralinski, a kind-hearted aristocrat, who decides to attend the wedding of one of his subordinates while in a drunken stupor. What ensues is a comedy of errors as Pralinski wanders through the wedding in a dream-like state. As the situations he finds himself in becomes more absurd, it eventually reaches a calamitous and hilarious climax. ‘A Nasty Story’ illustrates Dostoevsky’s celebrated satire as by attempting to be a moralistic man, Pralinski consistently acts in comically shameful ways. The story’s social commentary is as relevant today as when it was written with the buffoonish behaviour of the upper class being sharply contrasted with the respectful working-class wedding guests. ‘A Nasty Story’ is as sorrowful as it is comical and is perfect for fans of Monty Python.Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels ‘Crime and Punishment’, ‘The Idiot’, and ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. James Joyce described Dostoevsky as the creator of ‘modern prose’ and his literary legacy is influential to this day as Dostoevsky’s work has been adapted for many movies including ‘The Double’ starring Jesse Eisenberg.

‘Novel in Nine Letters’ is an incredibly inventive short story by Dostoevsky about a comical miscommunication between two friends. The story unfolds through letters as we learn that Ivan is unsuccessfully trying to collect money that he loaned to Pyotr. A comedy of errors ensues as neither man understands the other and Ivan becomes paranoid that Pyotr is avoiding him. Their world becomes a labyrinth as they attempt to connect but consistently fail due to unfortunate mishaps until a shocking final letter reveals what their previous correspondence could not. This story, which is one of Dostoevsky’s earliest, shows why he would become one of the most celebrated Russian writers of all time. It creatively blends farce and social commentary and has two compelling characters that readers can root for and against. ‘Novel in Nine Letters’ is as relevant in the social media age as when it was written, and its satirical nature makes it a perfect read for fans of ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’.Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels ‘Crime and Punishment’, ‘The Idiot’, and ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. James Joyce described Dostoevsky as the creator of ‘modern prose’ and his literary legacy is influential to this day as Dostoevsky’s work has been adapted for many movies including ‘The Double’ starring Jesse Eisenberg.

Visiting Ajja and Ajji in the village is always exciting for Raju, but this time, his grandparents have a special surprise for him. One evening, when they are taking their usual walk along the river, Ajja suggests a boat ride. Why don't you join them?'Row, Row, Row your Boat' (English), translated by Divaspathy Hegde, based on original story ದೋಣಿ ವಿಹಾರ (Kannada), written by Jayashree Deshpande, illustrated by Srikrishna Kedilaya, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2004) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Sringeri Srinivas grows sweet bananas on his farm, and yet, no one wants to buy them. Find out what he did with them in this cute story from India.'Too Many Bananas' (English), written by Rohini Nilekani, illustrated by Angie & Upesh, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2010) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Mahatma Gandhi and his followers have decided to march to Dandi to protest against the unfair salt tax imposed by the British. 9-year-old Dhani who lives at the Sabarmati Ashram wants to go too. This tale captures the spirit behind the momentous event that inspired millions of Indians to join the struggle for Independence.'Marching to Freedom' (English), written by Subhadra Sen Gupta, illustrated by Tapas Guha, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2005) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Mr. Centipede wears 21 pairs of boots on his morning walk. But with so many legs to choose from, how does he know which foot to use first? Join Mr. Centipede and his garden friends in this story about counting and indecision!'Best Foot Forward' (English), written by Rustom Dadachanji, illustrated by Tanvi Bhat, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2018) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Cha wallahs are a common site in India. When Meera's dad smells the sweet aroma of tea coming from the Cha wallah, he can't resist. Meera learns a lot about tea and the science behind it while Baba waits on his tea.'A Cup of Cha' (English), written by Pooja Vijay, illustrated by Proiti Roy, supported by CISCO, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2018) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Rhino, Crocodile, Giraffe and Zebra all live together in Africa. They also share a common best friend? Can you guess who it is? Learn about the natural world and the most unlikeliest of friendships in this charming story from Jade Mathieson.'Who Is Our Friend?' (English), written by Jade Mathieson, illustrated by Gerhard Van Wyk, published by Book Dash (© Book Dash, 2016) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Policemen need many skills to keep them ready and on their toes for their difficult job! Read this story to hear about the many lessons cadets need to learn about policing and life.'I Want To Be A Police Officer' (English), written by Repostly Admin, illustrated by Bindia Thapar, George Supreeth, Neeta Gangopadhya, Suvidha Mistry, published under a (© Repostly Admin, 2019) CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Have you ever said, "See you tomorrow!" and actually meant it? The boy in this story has many friends, who all take him at his word! A funny story about a small boy who has many animal friends.'See You Tomorrow' (English), written by Tanya Luther Agarwal, illustrated by Partho Sengupta, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2006) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Pabu’s niece Kelam wants a camel for her birthday. Follow Kelam's adventures as he sets out rom Rajasthan to Lanka to see if he can find one. Find out if he is successful in this Indian tale drawn with illustrations from the Phad painting tradition.'A Camel for Kelam' (English), written by Anu Chowdhury-Sorabjee, illustrated by Kalyan Joshi, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2019) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

A story about Minu and her Aai's yummy chocolate cake. The story will help children learn about numbers and how to count.'The Chocolate Cake' (English), written by Sanjana Mitbander, illustrated by Alicia Souza, Kaveri Gopalakrishnan, Kruttika Susarla, Ruchi Shah, Shital Choudhary, Sonal Gupta Vaswani, published under a (© Sanjana Mitbander, 2018) CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Somewhere in a village in India, a kite fight is about to end. the purple kite is defeated and the red kite is the victor, but what's this? The chord has snapped and the kite is now on the run. Can the children catch it or will the kite catcher be able to outrun them?'The Kite' (English), written by Jeyanthi Manokaran, illustrated by Jeyanthi Manokaran, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books, 2016) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

One day, Tara and Arun discover an old newspaper in their grandmother's attic. They open it and embark on a historical adventure about a magic mango seed and a little boy who tried to telegraph it from India to London.'The Magic Mango' (English), written by Amelia Bonea, (© Amelia Bonea, 2018), illustrated by Ioan Balcosi, published under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

The underwater world is a noisy place. Read all about some of the strongest, largest and loudest singers under the sea — whales!'Have You Ever Heard a Whale Sing?' (English), written by Divya Panicker, illustrated by Deepti Sharma, supported by Oracle, published by Pratham Books (© Pratham Books,2020) under a CC BY 4.0 license, first released on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

Long long ago, there lived in Norway a grumpy, grouchy farmer called Gloomy Gus. Gloomy Gus was not just a grouch---he was arrogant too, and believed he was smarter than everybody else, especially his wife. Read this captivating and humourous folktale from Norway to find out just how smart he really was!'The Man Who Thought He Was Smarter Than His Wife: A Folktale From Norway' is written by Veena Seshadri . © Pratham Books , 2006. Some rights reserved. Released under CC BY 4.0 license.'The Man Who Thought He Was Smarter Than His Wife' has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books. www.prathambooks.org

The roads are their playground and they have made the city and the people their own. Follow the lives of some of Mumbai's street dogs in this short book where street dogs like Captain, Kalu and Champi takes us on a tour into some well known areas in their city.'My City, My Dogs' is written by Abodh Aras . © Pratham Books , 2018. Some rights reserved. Released under CC BY 4.0 license.'My City, My Dogs' has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books. www.prathambooks.org; Guest Editor: Shinibali Mitra Saigal

Mrs. Chang gets a letter from her son one day. She asks Warrior Wen to read it out to her. One look at the letter and Warrior Wen bursts into tears. Very soon, Mrs.Chang starts bawling. Next, Peddlar Peng, who is passing by, joins the sobbing duo. What has happened to Mrs. Chang's son? Find out for yourself in this delightful folktale from China.'Wailers Three' - A Folktale From China is written by Greystroke . © Pratham Books , 2020. Some rights reserved. Released under CC BY 4.0 license. This book has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books.

Story time! Paati is here for the summer and Suvi wants to make the most of it. As her grandma starts describing the Pushpaka Vimana, Suvi wonders if it’s like a driverless car, which drives you safely to any destination you name. Buckle up, enjoy the ride!Who Drives the Driverless Car? is written by Vidya Pradhan. © Pratham Books , 2018. Some rights reserved. Released under CC BY 4.0 license.'Who Drives the Driverless Car?' has been published on StoryWeaver by Pratham Books.