Fairy Tales from Bhutan

Bhutan, nestled between China and India, is called “Land of the Thunder Dragon”. Its culture is very ancient and dominated by Buddhism. “Bhutan is known for measuring progress through happiness rather than wealth, for a Buddhist culture that is lived rather than performed, and for mountain landscapes that remain largely untouched by mass tourism. This small Himalayan kingdom, wedged between India and Tibet, is also one of the only carbon-negative countries on earth - and one of the last places where a monarchy, a monastery and a mountain trail can all shape the same afternoon.”“Bhutan is best known internationally for Gross National Happiness (GNH) - a governing philosophy introduced by the Fourth King in the 1970s that prioritises wellbeing, environmental health and cultural preservation over economic output alone.Free basic education and healthcare are constitutionally provided for Bhutanese citizens, including free schooling through tenth standard and free access to basic public health services.Environmental protection is written into the Constitution, which requires at least 60% of Bhutan’s total land to remain under forest cover for all time.Cultural preservation is actively supported through government policy, including the protection and promotion of traditional dress, cultural practices and Bhutanese architecture."(see Gangtey Lodge, October 2026). An important part of culture are folktales and fables teaching Buddhist values, peace, and respect. The most famous fable in Bhutan is “The Four Harmonious Friends” from which adults and children can learn the importance of solidarity, equity, and cooperation.In this booklet, I would like to introduce eight well-known folktales from Bhutan to promote interreligious dialogue with Buddhism and its culture. In Bhutan, fables are much more than mere entertainment since they are an essential element of non-formal education.