The World's Oldest Short Stories

Many stories have stood the test of time, but this selection have entranced audiences for thousands of years and remain as fresh today as they were when first told. A fascinating collection which gives vivid insights into lives in ancient times and the issues that occupied the people of the day.

Includes tales of ancient Egypt, written to discourage militant women from reviving the old matriarchal system; enchanting stories of the Buddha that were later adapted by Aesop; old humorous stories of the Brahmans; stories from the Greeks in Asia Minor, including the wonderful sketch "The Ladies of Syracuse", which gives a fresh, charming, and lively picture of life in Alexandria; plus the epic Cupid and Psyche by the excellent Latin writer Apuleius.

• "The Tale of Khafri" (Egyptian, 4800 BC)
• "The Tale of Ahuri" (Egyptian, 1300 BC)
• "Stories of the Buddha" (Indian, 560 BC)
• "The Monkey and the Queen’s Jewels"
• "The Tale of Princess Sambula"
• "The Ass in the Lion’s Skin"
• "The Talkative Tortoise"
• "The Judgment of the Buddha"
• "The Pancha-Tantra" (Indian, 300 BC)
• "The Brahman of Vain Dreams"
• "The Hitopadesa" (Indian, 600 AD)
• "The Rajah’s Son and the Merchant’s Wife"
• "The Faithful Servant"
• "Herodotus" (485-425 BC)
• "The Treasure of King Rhampsinitus"
• "Polycrates and his Ring"
• "Theocritus" (300 BC)
• "The Ladies of Syracuse"
• "Petronius" (1st Century AD)
• "The Widow of Ephesus"
• "Apuleius" (125 AD)
• "Cupid and Psyche"