Fables and Folk Tales From An Eastern Forest

Fables and Folk Tales from an Eastern Forest by Walter William Skeat is a fascinating collection of traditional stories gathered from the Malay Archipelago and Peninsula. First published in 1901, the book captures the rich oral storytelling traditions of the region, offering insight into local beliefs, customs, and moral values through animal fables, supernatural tales, and village lore.

Skeat, a British scholar and colonial administrator, compiled these tales during his time in Malaya, preserving narratives that might otherwise have been lost. The stories often feature clever animals, tricksters, and moral lessons—similar in spirit to Aesop’s fables but rooted in Southeast Asian culture.