The Bearded Fool

A timeless story for children and for grown-ups who love listening too.From the Konkan region of Maharashtra comes a folktale that has been told for generations, often shared through the traditional art of Chitrakathi, where painted panels and spoken stories came together to reflect human nature.The Bearded Fool is a strange and thought-provoking tale about a man deeply proud of his long beard and the quiet certainty it gives him. But when a single line in a book unsettles that belief, his thoughts begin to spiral in unexpected ways. What follows is a story that is humorous, unsettling, and quietly sharp in the way only folktales can be.This is a story about pride, perception, and how easily we can be led astray when we place our faith in appearances rather than understanding. It invites listeners to pause, observe, and perhaps smile at how the mind can sometimes become its own trickster.This episode is perfect for bedtime, quiet listening, or thoughtful family storytime. If you enjoy Indian folktales, stories that gently question human behaviour, or traditional tales that linger in the mind long after they end, this one is for you. Support the podcast and help us share more stories: www.oaktreebooks.in/oaktreestories Inspired by the story? Share your drawings with us here: www.oaktreebooks.in/oaktreestories Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @oaktreestoriesNew episodes every Monday.