Twenty Two Goblins

Anonymous
Translated by Arthur William Ryder (1877 - 1938)

These 22 stories are told by the Goblin to the King Vikram. King Vikram faces many difficulties in bringing the vetala to the tantric. Each time Vikram tries to capture the vetala, it tells a story that ends with a riddle. If Vikram cannot answer the question correctly, the vampire consents to remain in captivity. If the king answers the question correctly, the vampire would escape and return to his tree. In some variations, the king is required to speak if he knows the answer, else his head will burst.

This work is taken from baital pachisi and one of its oldest recensions is found incorporated in the Kathā-Sarit-Sāgara ("Ocean of the Streams of Story"), a work in Sanskrit compiled in the 11th century by Somadeva. (Wikipedia)

Genre(s): Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales, Short Stories

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 00 - Introduction KirksVoice
00:04:42
Play 01 01 - Chapter 1 - First Goblin KirksVoice
00:15:48
Play 02 02 - Chapter 2 - Second Goblin KirksVoice
00:05:29
Play 03 03 - Chapter 3 - Third Goblin KirksVoice
00:11:27
Play 04 04 - Chapter 4 - Fourth Goblin KirksVoice
00:14:13
Play 05 05 - Chapter 5 - Fifth Goblin KirksVoice
00:06:05
Play 06 06 - Chapter 6 - Sixth Goblin KirksVoice
00:06:22
Play 07 07 - Chapter 7 - Seventh Goblin KirksVoice
00:13:07
Play 08 08 - Chapter 8 - Eighth Goblin KirksVoice
00:06:49
Play 09 09 - Chapter 9 - Ninth Goblin KirksVoice
00:04:43
Play 10 10 - Chapter 10 - Tenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:04:25
Play 11 11 - Chapter 11 - Eleventh Goblin KirksVoice
00:18:41
Play 12 12 - Chapter 12 - Twelfth Goblin KirksVoice
00:07:11
Play 13 13 - Chapter 13 - Thirteenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:07:17
Play 14 14 - Chapter 14 - Fourteenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:10:43
Play 15 15 - Chapter 15 - Fifteenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:23:25
Play 16 16 - Chapter 16 - Sixteenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:06:17
Play 17 17 - Chapter 17 - Seventeenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:10:48
Play 18 18 - Chapter 18 - Eighteenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:14:12
Play 19 19 - Chapter 19 - Nineteenth Goblin KirksVoice
00:11:02
Play 20 20 - Chapter 20 - Twentieth Goblin KirksVoice
00:06:05
Play 21 21 - Chapter 21 - Twentyfirst Goblin KirksVoice
00:05:46
Play 22 22 - Chapter 22 - Twentysecond Goblin KirksVoice
00:08:33
Play 23 23 - Conclusion KirksVoice
00:04:13