In The Norton Anthology of World Literature, ancient Indian and Chinese stories are shown to share several distinct similarities. “As in China…civilization in India seems to have begun in a river valley” (881). Both regions embrace a diverse ethnic population, united by the idea of ​​a shared heritage. Each domain was influenced by the idea of ​​a code of conduct. While similar on the surface, one notable difference is the way literature manifested itself in India and China during ancient times. "The Chinese tradition begins with lyric poetry" (812). In India, religious hymns formed the basis of early writings, but the Mystical Doctrines are evidence that prose dialogues were the preferred form of literary expression (882). Evidence shows that Chinese civilization originated in the Yellow River Basin (805). Indian civilization began in and around the Indus River Valley. It is not surprising that each of these great civilizations arose from the land around a river system. Life is attracted to water, and seasonal flooding often regenerates the soil around the watershed. The moment...