At first glance, the contents of the books in this series may seem to be no more than simple folktales – enigmatic, hilarious, devious, or superficially wise.

But beneath the surface lies something far more tantalizing, powerful, and profound. 

Drawn from centuries-old Sufi traditions, the many hundreds of teaching-stories collected by Idries Shah are part of a sophisticated system attuned to the human mind, designed for insight and inner understanding.

Told and retold for centuries – in North Africa, the Near East, Central Asia, and beyond – these stories have served as instruments of insight and perception, capable of awakening dormant potential, and thereby offering unexpected solutions to life challenges.

Both entertaining and instructive, each tale intended to work on multiple levels.

Like seeds scattered by the wind, they take root and, with time, develop – shifting perceptions, sparking self-reflection, and offering innovative ways of witnessing both the world and oneself.

Relied upon for generations as a subtle and effective means of personal development, these stories speak to all ages and to all cultures, and yet are not intended to be dissected or explained.

By experiencing them, readers may find themselves thinking in new ways – having been released from conventional and restrictive patterns of thought.

Whether one is a first-time reader or a returning student of Idries Shah’s work, this series offers a gateway into wisdom that is as relevant today as it was a thousand years ago.