This collection of a tales from India's foremost storyteller is rich in wry, warmly observed characters from every walk of Indian life. We encounter merchants, beggars, herdsmen, rogues and harlots, high-spirited children, a snake-charmer and a film director, each giving us haunting glimpses of human experience. Like Nambi the village storyteller in the title story, who captivates his listeners under the Banyan tree, Narayan has the mesmeric ability to spellbind his audience.