<DIV>Ascribed by legend to the celebrated half-mythical teacher Visnu Sarma, the fables of <I>The Pancatantra</I> were first recorded 1,500 years ago but date back to India?s robust oral tradition. Widely translated, they have influenced a vast number of works in India, the Arab world, and Europe, including the <I>Arabian Nights</I>, the <I>Canterbury Tales</I>, and the Fables of La Fontaine.<BR><BR></DIV>