India is unique. It is diverse. We proudly quote the popular cliché -- unity in diversity.

But the so called unity is hardly visible on ground. Religious intolerance; fights between states; language wars; and similar instances make a mockery of our professed unity.

Notwithstanding the above, we, the Indians, display extraordinary unity, despite the diversity, in the way we generally behave. There are certain common traits we exhibit with no apparent reason why we are so similar.

Disrespect for time; lack of civic sense; irrational reverence to godmen; praying as a valid process for seeking success; undue subservience to authority; highhandedness by those in authority; illegal monetary gratification at every level; general callousness and inefficiency and the famous chalta hai attitude are some of the traits which unite us in the most bizarre way possible.

A minority wanting to take the cudgels to change or just point out the despicable behavior, normally encounters what in Hindi is called kutte ki dum tedhi ki tedhi. - a dog's tail is always crooked. Straightening it is impossible, howsoever hard you try!

This book narrates tales which exemplify the crooked tails.