Das Papageienbuch

The only complete edition of the "Parrot Book," which served as a model for Boccaccio's "Decameron." The Parrot Book, a collection of 70 love stories and fables, originated in India during the first millennium. Although the author is unknown and the original has been destroyed, the stories spread not only throughout the country but also to Persia and Turkey, with some motifs even reaching Europe. In none of the older Indian works does love play such a central role: the heroines and heroes must cleverly extricate themselves from self-inflicted predicaments. Even when they seemingly violate moral codes, the sympathy of the parrot, who narrates the fables, always lies with the good, who are also the wiser. Often, women hold the upper hand over men, and lower castes over warriors and kings. This is the only collection of all 70 tales according to the most reliable versions: a surprisingly modern perspective on society, morality, gender roles, and class differences – a great work of world literature.