Pandit Vishnu Sharma found an ideal teaching tool – tales from a collection he called the Panchatantra. Gently guiding his pupils towards a life of honour and nobility, his fables provided joyful entertainment as well. They are read even today, 2000 years later, by peoples of diverse cultures in various languages. All that is foolish as well as unkind in the human character is starkly revealed, together with some useful advice: pick your friends wisely!