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IV
these stories were birds and an mals but that was symbolic picturisation of human societies In ancient times communication system did not develop so birde and animals were used as messengers. Allegory is our old social treasure and ancient stories always carried figurative representation of man's activities through animal world They were also used to carry the ambiguisth and complicated ides of Vedas to the common man through Upnishads and Brahamans. The society marched forward and we find that by the times of Purans figurative representation through birds and animals was dropped from literature and man-characters directly put into action in the stories By this time the caste system took roots in the society and political and military institutions made big strides in developments Subsequently village and tribe organisations developed into a matured political and social state and thereon a new struggle then ensured with changed relationship between new forces
In other countries also the nature of the development of stories and fables tread the same path. If we examine closely the Aesopets, Arabian night's and Indian stories and fables, we find that they depict the similar way of characterisation, figurative representation and way of saying while giving full exposure to their different local situations, social relationships and human physic
Jain stories particularly have made a notable contribution to the development of literature in the form of stories. Every aspect of life has been depicted in Jain stories They are influenced with subtle sagacious discourses on religion and philosophy Light has also been thrown on the practical aspects of life, The significance of Jain Stories lies in the fact each incident has been narrated metaphysically, Each
ncident envelopes valour, intelligence, understanding, tolerance and other esssential attributes, Spirituality is of course, the main theme of Jain literature but that spirituality is not barren in the Jain Stories, While taking stock of the ups and downs of life, a man ordinanly loses sight of
