019 - Chapter 18 - Eighteenth Goblin

Dive into the enchanting world of Twenty Two Goblins, where 22 captivating tales unfold as a clever Goblin spins stories for King Vikram. Each narrative presents a challenge, as the king must solve riddles posed by the elusive vetala to prevent it from escaping back to its tree. With each failed attempt, the stakes grow higher, and the tension mounts—Vikram must speak or risk dire consequences. This collection, derived from the ancient Baital Pachisi, showcases one of the oldest recensions found in the Kathā-Sarit-Sāgara, a masterful work of Sanskrit literature compiled in the 11th century by Somadeva.