The Long Path to Wisdom: Tales from Burma

Burma, now called Myanmar, is influenced by both Indian and Chinese cultures due to its geographical proximity to both civilizations. While it is largely a Buddhist culture, it has diverse ethnic and linguistic influences. Its folklore borrows freely from the various influences of the diverse groups that call Burma home.

This book is a collection of such stories and are as diverse as the various groups in Burma. Some of these tales are likely to remind readers of those found in Western Literature, namely Brothers Grimm or Aesop’s Fables; others are different from what most readers may have previously encountered. All the tales speak to universal values including family, community, love, happiness, suffering, loss, revenge, justice, and other very human dimensions. Not all the tales have a moral, and good does not necessarily triumph over evil in every tale. All the tales engage with the reader and come alive when the reader responds to them. Because these are unconnected tales, they can be read in any order. Furthermore, most of the tales are very short; most can be read in just a few minutes. This means that readers can enjoy a few stories just before bed or on the bus or train during the commute to or from work.

Overall, it is an excellent collection of stories and is recommended to readers who have an interest in Burmese culture or tales from that part of the world. A word of caution: not all the stories are suitable for younger readers. Parents and guardians are cautioned to review the stories before sharing them with a younger audience.