What can account for the durability and persistence of certain tales, in different places, through the ages? How can it be that the same story is found in Scotland and also in Pre-Columbian America?   These questions and more are answered in Idries Shah's remarkable volume World Tales , which is subtitled, "The extraordinary coincidence of stories told in all times, in all places." It is an anthology of 65 enduring folk tales, some famous, others virtually unknown, from every part of the globe.   Each story starts with a short introduction giving a brief history of the tale's literary mutations, and that also remarks on the astonishing similarities of other versions of the story in different parts of the world.   No ordinary collection of fables, World Tales is the result of extensive research that lead Shah to conclude that there is a certain basic fund of human fictions, which recur again and again throughout the world and never seem to lose their compelling attraction. Chosen as a US Book of the Month Club feature selection "Splendid" —BBC World of Books "I have yet to meet anyone who is not fascinated by this book." —Doris Lessing "A delightful book, filled with stories that will appeal to the eye, mind and especially the heart." —New Frontier "An enchanting volume equally interesting on the levels of entertainment, information and art." —The Courier "This is the book that turned my interest as an adult to folklore and inspired me to take up storytelling." —Norah Dooley, author and storyteller