The Magic Drum and Other Favourite Stories are simple, short stories, each with a moral. The settings of the stories and the morals they teach make the book easy to identify with for Indian readers.
Summary Of The Book
Most of the stories are drawn from Murthy's own childhood - stories, some narrated to her by her grandparents, or stories she has heard from friends and acquaintances. These stories of village simpletons, of wise men and of Kings and common people.
The Magic Drum and Other Favourite Stories have stories that are funny, interesting, and morally enlightening.The Best Friend, for instance, shows how simple village people can be fooled Keshava, a simpleton is fooled by a teacher, who charges him a thousand rupees for turning his donkey into a human, and also takes away his only friend, the donkey.
Some are stories where we see wit and intelligence win despite all odds, others alert you against trusting people, some funny tales show how destiny and good luck can help a man succeed in his ventures.Good Luck, Gopal, for instance shows how Gopal, a dull, but good- natured villager, manages to earn riches sheerly because of good luck. At the end of the story, Murthy also manages to tell her young readers :Never push your luck too far.
The Price is Right shows how a poor, simple village boy teaches a cunning merchant a fitting lesson. Cure for Laziness shows how laziness can turn a healthy, happy life upside down. Nine Questions for a Princess is the story of a princess who wants to marry someone who is more intelligent and knowledgeable than her.
These stories have been Murthy's favourites since her childhood, and now with The Magic Drum and Other Favourite Stories, she gives young readers a chance to enjoy these simple, rustic tales, and also learn some simple, yet valuable lessons from them.
About Sudha Murthy
Sudha Murthy is an author, and philanthropist.
Her noted works include The Old Man And His God, Dollar Bahu, The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk, Mahashwetha, and How I Taught My Grandmother To Read And Other Stories.
Born in Karnataka in 1950, Sudha Murthy, wife of Narayana Murthy, did her M.Tech in Computer Science. After Finishing her Engineering and stood First Class in her class, and was awarded a Gold Medal, Murthy completed her M.Tech from the Indian Institute of Science. A known Philanthropist, she is also the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She has a long list of literary works to boast of. These include novels, children's books as well as technical books. Many of these have been translated into various Indian language. She was presented the Padma Shri in 2006, and a honorary doctorate.
