The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Rouse, W. H. D. (William Henry Denham) (1863–1950).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India" by W. H. D. Rouse is a collection of retold fables written in the late 19th century. The book draws from the rich tapestry of Indian folklore, particularly the Buddhist Jataka Tales, presenting them in an accessible format for children. Each story features a variety of animal characters, like the titular giant crab and other creatures like elephants, cats, and tortoises, highlighting lessons in morality and wit. At the start of this collection, readers are introduced to the tale of "The Giant Crab," where a massive crab preys on animals that come to drink from a lake in the mountains, instilling fear in the local wildlife. As the crabs grow increasingly powerful and feared, the clever elephants devise a plan to defeat him. This opening narrative sets the tone for the collection, showcasing themes of resourcefulness, bravery, and the consequences of one's actions, while also establishing the playful yet cautionary spirit that characterizes the stories that follow. Other stories hint at further adventures and morals surrounding greed, cunning, and community, promising a delightful exploration of traditional tales through engaging storytelling.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India
- Author credits: Rouse, W. H. D. (William Henry Denham) (1863–1950)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Folklore -- India
- Tipitaka. Suttapitaka. Khuddakanikaya. Jataka -- Paraphrases, English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Children & Young Adult Reading
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


