It will be generally agreed that some of the happiest moments of our life were those spent listening
to bedtime stories told by our doting old grand parents. Very often they may be repeating the same
old story; but that did not matter at all. "Hello Children, come here. Once upon a time there was a
king" and the story would go on and children would be in fairyland. Now on reflection, we realize
that these bed time stories served a great purpose. Children were led to appreciate bravery, truthfulness,
honesty, goodness etc and detest sins. And all this was accomplished in the least expensive
and psychologically most effective way. Unfortunately all these have changed.
Thousands of miles separate modern grand parents from their grand children to the detriment of
both. This defect can be overcome to some extent through good storybooks and only through books.
Advice from parents, however good, can be awfully boring; it may even have negative effects. Stories
from Greek classics served a good purpose. Heroes by Kingsly and Tanglewood tales by
Hawthorne are typical. They increased the child's vocabulary and language power in the most natural
way, through context; not through dictionary.
A clear understanding of our own numerous deities is necessary. They are just concepts leading to
the grand philosophy of the Gita.
Hoping that the book will find favour with children and the kind indulgence of the elders.
Your Servant
P.S. Krishna Iyer