These twenty-five beautifully illustrated tales capture the mystery, the enchantment, and the profound spiritual learning that is India. Drawn from the great Indian epics -- the Puranas, the Upanishads, and the Mahabharata -- as well as from the author`s own remarkable life, these tales put ageless Indian wisdom into the form of stories that will delight young and old alike. Storytelling has always been the way that India`s holy men taught their students the vital lessons of life. Stories provide a living environment for the lessons they impart, and they can convey sophisticated concepts in simple language. Abounding with powerful kings, scheming gods, and wise mystics, The Monkeys and the Mango Tree can be read as an exotic Aesop`s Fables, as a source of classic wisdom, or as a simple and memorable introduction to the stories of the most spiritual civilization on earth. Harish Johari is a scholar, artist, and composer who has studied with many of the great saints of India and has been one of the leading figures responsible for introducing the culture of his homeland to the West. He is the author of many books, including Chakras, Ayurvedic Massage, The Healing Cuisine, Breath, Mind, and Consciousness, and The Birth of the Ganga.