"Village Folk-Tales of Ceylon, Volume 2 (of 3)" by H. Parker is a collection of traditional folk tales and legends written in the early 20th century. The stories included are drawn from the rich cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and capture the everyday lives, moral lessons, and adventures of various characters, including common villagers, princes, and mythical creatures. The text promises to provide a fascinating insight into the customs and beliefs of rural life in Ceylon, reflecting the wisdom and humor found in these tales. The opening of the volume introduces several stories that celebrate themes common in folktales, such as cleverness, bravery, and resilience. The first tale recounts a legend about the city of Kandy and how it came to be established, stemming from a basket-mender's observation of a fleeing hare and jackal. Other stories feature princesses, cunning villagers, and themes of love and deception, including the plight of a Gamarala's daughter who cleverly cures a king and the significance of crafty maneuvers in love and social status. Each tale sets the stage for exploring human nature, societal norms, and the values underlying the communal life of Ceylon's villages. (This is an automatically generated summary.)