Tales from Silver Lands

Originally published in 1924, Tales from Silver Lands is a collection of nineteen folktales, which Finger collected during his travels in South America. In them an assortment of animals, magical creatures, witches, giants, and children struggle for a life in which good overcomes evil. These fast-moving and adventuresome fantasies provide insight into the values and culture of native South American peoples. They stress the importance of close relationships, hard work, bravery, gentleness, and beauty, and contain colorful explanations of natural phenomena.

A tale of three tails -- The magic dog -- The calabash man -- Na-Ha the fighter -- The humming-bird and the flower -- The magic ball -- El Enano -- The hero twins -- The four hundred -- The killing of Cabrakan -- The tale of the gentle folk -- The tale that cost a dollar -- The magic knot -- The bad wishers -- The hungry old witch -- The wonderful mirror -- The tale of the lazy people -- Rairu and the star maiden -- The cat and the dream man