GIFT OF THE FOREST

is a young boy growing up in Haripur. India, a small village for which his father is Jamadar. Collector of Taxes, for the neighboring Maharajah. The boy yearns for the freedom of the forest, he has heard so much about it from his grandfather with whom he plays jungle games so that he lacks fear. On his birthday, he is allowed to enter the forest, where he finds his tiger cub that makes such a difference in the life of the villagers, who are fearful, superstitious and ignorant. The book shows up the world over struggle between those that are rational and educated and those that will listen to hysterical ranting. A wonderful picture of Indian life. As this book is long and full of Eastern terms and quotations from abred sacred books, it would have to be read aloud and would probably be enjoyed by older children.