The oldest and most famous book of fairy tales, Vad Kaha, composed by Rishi Gunadhya was written in the Panjab.in the then prevalent dialect, Paishachi. Katha Sarit Sagar based on it and written in Sanskrit by Somadeva is available. The famous Arabic collection of fables, Kalilawa Dimnah, is based on the Panchatantra. Similarly, most of the tales of Alif Laila are said to have originated from Katha Sarit Sagar or Vad Kaha. The Punjab has thus been an ocean whence innumerable gems of folk-tales have spread all over the world.
Legends form the most interesting and inspiring part of the folk-tales of the Punjab.
They are mostly about lovers, warriors, saints, devotees and pirs. Tales like Heer Ranjha,.Sassi Peinnu, Sohni Mahiwal, Mirza Sahiban, Roda Jalaii, etc., are still listened to with great relish. Some legends are heroic in content, and they sing praises of the warriors who sacrificed their lives for the country. Raja Rasula the most famous character of this heroic cycle. A.D. In Pothohar and Sialkot, there are many places associated with Raja Rasalu.