Indian Fairy Tales · Chapter
XI: Harisarman explained
Harisarman, a poor Brahman, uses his wits to gain a reputation as a soothsayer.
What happens
Harisarman, a poor Brahman, uses his wits to gain a reputation as a soothsayer. When a theft occurs, he is tasked with finding the culprits. Through a series of lucky coincidences and clever remarks, he successfully identifies the thieves, earning rewards and establishing his reputation.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the sons, believing their father now possesses hidden wealth,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Cunning and Wisdom
Harisarman uses his wit and fortunate coincidences to appear as a wise soothsayer, solving the theft through cleverness rather than actual divination.
Characters to notice
- Harisarman
The poor Brahman who pretends to be a soothsayer and uses cleverness to solve a theft.
- Raja Indrasha
The Raja who employs Harisarman and tasks him with finding the thieves.
Key passages
“The most remarkable of the parallels is that afforded by the Grimms’ “Doctor Allwissend” ( No. 98), which extends even to such a minute point as his exclamation, “Ach, ich armer Krebs,” whereupon a crab is discovered under a dish.”
A striking similarity is found in the Grimms' tale 'Doctor Knowall,' where the protagonist's exclamation 'Oh, I poor crab' coincidentally reveals a hidden crab.
Highlights the cross-cultural borrowing and shared motifs between Indian and European folklore.
