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The Magic Horse
This is the story of two one skilled in the practical arts and the other, Prince Tambal, considered by most people to be only a dreamer. Their father, the king, announces a competition to produce “interesting and useful devices.” The entry produced by a woodcarver appears to be only a simple wooden horse of little value, but when Tambal looks more closely, he discovers that it’s able to magically travel to whatever place is in its rider’s mind. With the help of this magic horse, Tambal comes to learn a great many things and, eventually, to know his heart's desire. Julie Freeman’s beautiful illustrations capture the magic of this tale, with the images and text inset in rich borders of oriental patterns. The Magic Horse is one of an illustrated series of Sufi teaching stories from the Middle East and Central Asia that were collected and adapted for children by Idries Shah, and that have captivated hearts and minds for more than a thousand years. The stories are designed to help children learn to examine their assumptions and to think for themselves. In the Sufi tradition, there is a continuum between the children’s story, the entertainment or folklore story and the instructional or instrumental story. A story can help children deal with difficult situations and give them something to hold on to, but it can also stimulate a deeper understanding in adults. Through the instrumental function of this rich body of material, readers of all ages can learn to develop the capacity to be more flexible and to understand many more things about themselves and about life.
- GenresPicture Books
38 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
About the author
Idries Shah
563 books448 followersIdries Shah (Persian: ادریس شاه), also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi (Arabic: سيد إدريس هاشمي), was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.
Born in India, the descendant of a family of Afghan nobles, Shah grew up mainly in England. His early writings centred on magic and witchcraft. In 1960 he established a publishing house, Octagon Press, producing translations of Sufi classics as well as titles of his own. His most seminal work was The Sufis, which appeared in 1964 and was well received internationally. In 1965, Shah founded the Institute for Cultural Research, a London-based educational charity devoted to the study of human behaviour and culture. A similar organisation, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), exists in the United States, under the directorship of Stanford University psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy in the U.S.
In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasising that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.
Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. His role in the controversy surrounding a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by his friend Robert Graves and his older brother Omar Ali-Shah, came in for particular scrutiny. However, he also had many notable defenders, chief among them the novelist Doris Lessing. Shah came to be recognised as a spokesman for Sufism in the West and lectured as a visiting professor at a number of Western universities. His works have played a significant part in presenting Sufism as a secular, individualistic form of spiritual wisdom.
Idries Shah's books on Sufism achieved considerable critical acclaim. He was the subject of a BBC documentary ("One Pair of Eyes") in 1969, and two of his works (The Way of the Sufi and Reflections) were chosen as "Outstanding Book of the Year" by the BBC's "The Critics" programme. Among other honours, Shah won six first prizes at the UNESCO World Book Year in 1973, and the Islamic scholar James Kritzeck, commenting on Shah's Tales of the Dervishes, said that it was "beautifully translated".
The reception of Shah's movement was also marked by much controversy. Some orientalists were hostile, in part because Shah presented classical Sufi writings as tools for self-development to be used by contemporary people, rather than as objects of historical study. L. P. Elwell-Sutton from Edinburgh University, Shah's fiercest critic, described his books as "trivial", replete with errors of fact, slovenly and inaccurate translations and even misspellings of Oriental names and words – "a muddle of platitudes, irrelevancies and plain mumbo-jumbo", adding for good measure that Shah had "a remarkable opinion of his own importance". Expressing amusement and amazement at the "sycophantic manner" of Shah's interlocutors in a BBC radio interview, Elwell-Sutton concluded that some Western intellectuals were "so desperate to find answers to the questions that baffle them, that, confronted with wisdom from 'the mysterious East,' they abandon their critical faculties and submit to brainwashing of the crudest kind". To Elwell-Sutton, Shah's Sufism belonged to the realm of "Pseudo-Sufism", "centred not on God but on man."
Doris Lessing, one of Shah's greatest defenders,stated in a 1981 interview: "I found Sufism as taught by Idries Shah, which claim
Born in India, the descendant of a family of Afghan nobles, Shah grew up mainly in England. His early writings centred on magic and witchcraft. In 1960 he established a publishing house, Octagon Press, producing translations of Sufi classics as well as titles of his own. His most seminal work was The Sufis, which appeared in 1964 and was well received internationally. In 1965, Shah founded the Institute for Cultural Research, a London-based educational charity devoted to the study of human behaviour and culture. A similar organisation, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), exists in the United States, under the directorship of Stanford University psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy in the U.S.
In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasising that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.
Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. His role in the controversy surrounding a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by his friend Robert Graves and his older brother Omar Ali-Shah, came in for particular scrutiny. However, he also had many notable defenders, chief among them the novelist Doris Lessing. Shah came to be recognised as a spokesman for Sufism in the West and lectured as a visiting professor at a number of Western universities. His works have played a significant part in presenting Sufism as a secular, individualistic form of spiritual wisdom.
Idries Shah's books on Sufism achieved considerable critical acclaim. He was the subject of a BBC documentary ("One Pair of Eyes") in 1969, and two of his works (The Way of the Sufi and Reflections) were chosen as "Outstanding Book of the Year" by the BBC's "The Critics" programme. Among other honours, Shah won six first prizes at the UNESCO World Book Year in 1973, and the Islamic scholar James Kritzeck, commenting on Shah's Tales of the Dervishes, said that it was "beautifully translated".
The reception of Shah's movement was also marked by much controversy. Some orientalists were hostile, in part because Shah presented classical Sufi writings as tools for self-development to be used by contemporary people, rather than as objects of historical study. L. P. Elwell-Sutton from Edinburgh University, Shah's fiercest critic, described his books as "trivial", replete with errors of fact, slovenly and inaccurate translations and even misspellings of Oriental names and words – "a muddle of platitudes, irrelevancies and plain mumbo-jumbo", adding for good measure that Shah had "a remarkable opinion of his own importance". Expressing amusement and amazement at the "sycophantic manner" of Shah's interlocutors in a BBC radio interview, Elwell-Sutton concluded that some Western intellectuals were "so desperate to find answers to the questions that baffle them, that, confronted with wisdom from 'the mysterious East,' they abandon their critical faculties and submit to brainwashing of the crudest kind". To Elwell-Sutton, Shah's Sufism belonged to the realm of "Pseudo-Sufism", "centred not on God but on man."
Doris Lessing, one of Shah's greatest defenders,stated in a 1981 interview: "I found Sufism as taught by Idries Shah, which claim
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 21, 2014
The Magic Horse.
'The impact of this story is not dependent on the intellect's ability to comprehend it.'
All the Hoopoe books for children spill riches. Tambal searches for the good of all and his heart’s desire, while his brother Hoshyar concerns himself with the wondrous fish.
The magic horse and the maker of the magic horse are overlooked by the king, his courtiers and the people who see the value of engines more easily than they see the value of a painted intricately carved wooden horse.
'The impact of this story is not dependent on the intellect's ability to comprehend it.'
All the Hoopoe books for children spill riches. Tambal searches for the good of all and his heart’s desire, while his brother Hoshyar concerns himself with the wondrous fish.
The magic horse and the maker of the magic horse are overlooked by the king, his courtiers and the people who see the value of engines more easily than they see the value of a painted intricately carved wooden horse.
February 13, 2015
It might have been a nice story if modern "follow your heart" and "live out your destiny" mantra didn't take it over.
May 18, 2022
The Magic Horse by Idrees Shah, Illustrator Julie Freeman- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Arab King Mumkin and his two sons Tambal and Hoshiyar. King encouraged his subjects to experiment and invent new agriculture, horticulture and other things in all fields. He invited such genius citizens to exhibit their work before his court. On finding the invention successful, he rewarded the inventor. Prince Hoshiyar was interested in new inventions while Tambal was a dreamer. He appreciated things which were done at low cost and were useful for his subjects. A blacksmith and a carpenter were two genius citizens. Blacksmith constructed a fish which could move and fly while the carpenter constructed a horse which had small metal bells at various parts of his body which could control his speed and help to fly in the air. Hoshiyar took the fish for further development while Tambal took the horse to experiment further. Tambal found a palace hanging in the air. He dropped on the palace and found a Princess Pearl resides here. Her father Kahana wishes that she should be married to a magician. Tambal found that Kahana was not interested in marriage of Princess with him. Tambal moved out on his horse and reached a desert. He was tired and thirty. He found a garden so he dropped there and ate fruits. His youth and beauty vanished. An old man appeared who informed him that he should eat dry fruits lying below the fruit trees so that he may gain his old form. During this time, the Magician’s son took hold of Tambal’s horse. All went as a marriage party to Princess Pearl’s father’s palace. Tambal and Princess were married. Magician’s son returned his horse to Tambal. Tambal and his wife returned to their kingdom. Later after the death of his father, Tambal was crowned king. Coloured Pictures help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
December 29, 2017
the magic horse that takes you wherever you want is CLEARLY the better invention than the fish that can fly only slowly through the air.
July 21, 2020
Find the desire of your heart. Follow Tambal.
The Magic Horse.
'The impact of this story is not dependent on the intellect's ability to comprehend it.'
All the Hoopoe books for children spill riches. Tambal searches for the good of all and his heart’s desire, while his brother Hoshyar concerns himself with the wondrous fish.
The magic horse and the maker of the magic horse are overlooked by the King, his courtiers and the people who see the value of engines more easily than they see the value of a carved and painted painted wooden horse.
The Magic Horse.
'The impact of this story is not dependent on the intellect's ability to comprehend it.'
All the Hoopoe books for children spill riches. Tambal searches for the good of all and his heart’s desire, while his brother Hoshyar concerns himself with the wondrous fish.
The magic horse and the maker of the magic horse are overlooked by the King, his courtiers and the people who see the value of engines more easily than they see the value of a carved and painted painted wooden horse.
October 17, 2013
No reading level information available. It is recommended for ages 7-12 (Grades 2-6).
Illustrated by Julie Freeman
The king announced that he wanted new, useful devices, so the iron smith makes wondrous fish. Prince Hoshyar takes charge in creating more fish, while Prince Tambal uses a seemingly useless magic horse the wood smith created, to fulfill his heart's desire. Prince Tambal meets a princess and defeats an enemy.
This book is great for third grade.
Illustrated by Julie Freeman
The king announced that he wanted new, useful devices, so the iron smith makes wondrous fish. Prince Hoshyar takes charge in creating more fish, while Prince Tambal uses a seemingly useless magic horse the wood smith created, to fulfill his heart's desire. Prince Tambal meets a princess and defeats an enemy.
This book is great for third grade.
April 15, 2013
I would give this book 4 stars. This is a multi-cultural book that deals with inventions and magic. It talks about following your hearts desire to do what makes you happy. You can use this book to show children that as long as you follow your dreams you can be happy. I would recommend this book to children in 3rd-6th grade.
July 10, 2010
All of us so different and so beautiful.
August 3, 2011
Too cheem for a preschooler.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews