The Ringdoves: From the Fables of Bidpai

Kindergarten-Grade 4 Kamen has attempted to render a portion of the complex and subtle body of Indian stories, the Bidpai and Hitopadesha, into picture book format. She has chosen a section of the story that focuses on friendship and cooperation. A flock of doves, caught in a hunter's net, escape death by flapping their wings in unison and flying off, net and all. A friendly mouse cuts them free. The mouse in turn makes friends with a crow who has observed his helpfulness. This unusual friendship attracts a tortoise and a gazelle. The four work together to outwit the hunter and then live ``together in peace and happinesss for the rest of their days.'' Storytellers will find more vivid versions of this tale in Ramsey Wood's Kalila and Dimna (Granada England, 1982), retold from both Indian and Persian sources, and in Francis Hutchins' Animal Fables of India (Amarta, 1985), a translation of the ninth-Century Hitopadesha. Kamen admirably utilizes elements of Persian art in her illustrations. However, they lack the vibrancy and jewel-like qualities of the original Persian miniatures. Carolyn Polese, Gateway Community School, Arcata, Calif.
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