Like traditional fairy tales, Capek's fantastic parables contain marvels and supernatural beings, fairies, elves, and talking animals; their plots stem from folk traditions where innocence triumphs. At the same time, Capek infuses these tales with dazzling wordplay, an abundant sense of the absurd, and surprising futuristic twists. Fact and imagination, satire and fantasy are blended so skillfully that the line between logic and plausible nonsense is nearly indiscernible. These are not just children's tales but modern parables.

Contents:

• The Great Cat's Tale
• The Dog's Tale
• The Bird's Tale
• The First Robbers' Tale
• The Water Sprite's Tale
• The Second Robbers' Tale
• The Tramp's Tale
• The Great Police Tale
• The Mailman's Tale
• The Great Doctor's Tale