Hindu Children s Modern Stories book two is Ten Tales About Religious Life. It is a series of short stories for 10 to 12-year-olds illustrating key concepts of the Hindu religion in a familiar context. Each story, some set in India, some in the US, speaks to a single value, for example, nonviolence, honesty, purity or giving. Some stories illustrate the choices a child may face in his or her life, such as lying to cover a mistake, and the pleasant or unpleasant consequences that may result from those choices. In other stories the characters model positive, noble behavior, helping others and applying religious principles in real-life situations. Several stories focus on the consequences of making the wrong kind of friends. Unfortunately, ethics and morals are ignored subjects in most of the world s schools today. This small set of stories will provide Hindu and non-Hindu parents alike one means to convey these all-important character-building values to their children. The stories are intended to compliment Hinduism s vast array of ancient stories but presents its concepts in the context of the modern world in which our youth today reside. The 20 stories are based on the ethical restraints, yamas, and religious observances, niyamas, given in the Vedas. The yamas and niyamas are universal principles, practices and values found in all religions. The ten restraints are: nonviolence, truthfulness, nonstealing, divine conduct, patience, steadfastness, compassion, honesty, moderate appetite and purity. The ten observances are: remorse, contentment, giving, faith, worship of the Lord, scriptural listening, cognition, sacred vows, recitation and austerity. Each story is read in dramatic style by popular voice actress Jennifer Vaughn on the accompanying mp3 audio CD. - from Amzon