The Three Fishes

Three fishes—Thoughtful, Very-Thoughtful, and Thoughtless—lived in a river. Warned by Very-Thoughtful of nearby fishermen, the others delayed returning to safety. When Thoughtful and Thoughtless got caught in a net, Very-Thoughtful cleverly tricked the fisherman into releasing them. Grateful for the rescue, they agreed to return to their safer, wild home, where they lived peacefully ever after. The tale highlights foresight and quick thinking.

Source:
More Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1922

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Very-Thoughtful employs clever tactics to deceive the fisherman and rescue his companions.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts lessons on the importance of foresight, heeding warnings, and the consequences of procrastination.

Trials and Tribulations: The fish face challenges that test their wisdom and decision-making, highlighting the perils of ignoring prudent advice.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

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Once upon a time three Fishes lived in a far-away river. They were named Thoughtful, Very-Thoughtful, and Thoughtless.

One day they left the wild country where no men lived, and came down the river to live near a town.

Very-Thoughtful said to the other two: “There is danger all about us here. Fishermen come to the river here to catch fish with all sorts of nets and lines. Let us go back again to the wild country where we used to live.”

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But the other two Fishes were so lazy and so greedy that they kept putting off their going from day to day.

But one day Thoughtful and Thoughtless went swimming on ahead of Very-Thoughtful and they did not see the fisherman’s net and rushed into it. Very-Thoughtful saw them rush into the net.

“I must save them,” said Very-Thoughtful.

So swimming around the net, he splashed in the water in front of it, like a Fish that had broken through the net and gone up the river. Then he swam back of the net and splashed about there like a Fish that had broken through and gone down the river.

The fisherman saw the splashing water and thought the Fishes had broken through the net and that one had gone up the river, the other down, so he pulled in the net by one corner. That let the two Fishes out of the net and away they went to find Very-Thoughtful.

“You saved our lives, Very-Thoughtful,” they said, “and now we are willing to go back to the wild country.” So back they all went to their old home where they lived safely ever after.

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The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls

A king’s visit to the woods led to a theft in the royal garden. A clever Girl Monkey stole the queen’s pearls while the servant slept. The chief guard, suspecting the Monkeys, used strings of glass beads to lure the thief. The Monkey, envious of others’ beads, revealed the pearls. The guard’s ingenuity impressed the king, who rewarded him for recovering the jewels.

Source:
More Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1922

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The girl monkey’s cleverness in stealing the queen’s pearls and the chief guard’s strategic use of glass beads to outsmart her highlight the use of wit and deceit to achieve goals.

Trickster: The girl monkey plays the role of a trickster, using her cunning to outsmart the humans and steal the pearls, embodying the archetype of a cunning figure who uses wit to outmaneuver others.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a lesson about the consequences of envy and dishonesty, demonstrating that deceitful actions can lead to one’s downfall, as seen when the monkey’s jealousy leads her to reveal the stolen pearls.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

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One day the king went for a long walk in the woods. When he came back to his own garden, he sent for his family to come down to the lake for a swim. When they were all ready to go into the water, the queen and her ladies left their jewels in charge of the servants, and then went down into the lake. As the queen put her string of pearls away in a box, she was watched by a Girl Monkey who sat in the branches of a tree near-by. This Girl Monkey wanted to get the queen’s string of pearls, so she sat still and watched, hoping that the servant in charge of the pearls would go to sleep.

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At first the servant kept her eyes on the jewel-box. But by and by she began to nod, and then she fell fast asleep.

As soon as the Monkey saw this, quick as the wind she jumped down, opened the box, picked up the string of pearls, and quick as the wind she was up in the tree again, holding the pearls very carefully. She put the string of pearls on, and then, for fear the guards in the garden would see the pearls, the Monkey hid them in a hole in the tree. Then she sat near-by looking as if nothing had happened.

By and by the servant awoke. She looked in the box, and finding that the string of pearls was not there, she cried, “A man has run off with the queen’s string of pearls.”

Up ran the guards from every side.

The servant said: “I sat right here beside the box where the queen put her string of pearls. I did not move from the place. But the day is hot, and I was tired. I must have fallen asleep. The pearls were gone when I awoke.”

The guards told the king that the pearls were gone.

“Find the man who stole the pearls,” said the king. Away went the guards looking high and low for the thief.

After the king had gone, the chief guard said to himself:

“There is something strange here. These pearls,” thought he, “were lost in the garden. There was a strong guard at the gates, so that no one from the outside could get into the garden. On the other hand, there are hundreds of Monkeys here in the garden. Perhaps one of the Girl Monkeys took the string of pearls.”

Then the chief guard thought of a trick that would tell whether a Girl Monkey had taken the pearls. So he bought a number of strings of bright-colored glass beads.

After dark that night the guards hung the strings of glass beads here and there on the low bushes in the garden. When the Monkeys saw the strings of bright-colored beads the next morning, each Monkey ran for a string.

But the Girl Monkey who had taken the queen’s string of pearls did not come down. She sat near the hole where she had hidden the pearls.

The other Monkeys were greatly pleased with their strings of beads. They chattered to one another about them. “It is too bad you did not get one,” they said to her as she sat quietly, saying nothing. At last she could stand it no longer. She put on the queen’s string of pearls and came down, saying proudly: “You have only strings of glass beads. See my string of pearls!”

Then the chief of the guards, who had been hiding nearby, caught the Girl Monkey. He took her at once to the king.

“It was this Girl Monkey, your Majesty, who took the pearls.”

The king was glad enough to get the pearls, but he asked the chief guard how he had found out who took them.

The chief guard told the king that he knew no one could have come into the garden and so he thought they must have been taken by one of the Monkeys in the garden. Then he told the king about the trick he had played with the beads.

“You are the right man in the right place,” said the king, and he thanked the chief of the guards over and over again.

Why the Owl Is Not King of the Birds

The enmity between crows and owls stems from an ancient gathering of birds to choose a king. While many favored the owl, a crow objected, citing the owl’s sour demeanor. The crow’s vocal protest angered the owl, sparking a feud. Ultimately, the birds chose the turtle dove as their king, but the rivalry between crows and owls persists to this day.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Authority: The crow challenges the collective decision to appoint the owl as king, opposing the majority’s choice.

Family Dynamics: The tale explores relationships within the avian community, highlighting differing opinions and resulting conflicts.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts lessons about leadership qualities, the consequences of dissent, and the origins of enmity between species.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Why is it that Crows torment the Owls as they sleep in the daytime? For the same reason that the Owls try to kill the Crows while they sleep at night.

Listen to a tale of long ago and then you will see why.

Once upon a time, the people who lived together when the world was young took a certain man for their king. The four-footed animals also took one of their number for their king.

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The fish in the ocean chose a king to rule over them. Then the birds gathered together on a great flat rock, crying:

“Among men there is a king, and among the beasts, and the fish have one, too; but we birds have none. We ought to have a king. Let us choose one now.”

And so the birds talked the matter over and at last they all said, “Let us have the Owl for our king.”

No, not all, for one old Crow rose up and said, “For my part, I don’t want the Owl to be our king. Look at him now while you are all crying that you want him for your king. See how sour he looks right now. If that’s the cross look he wears when he is happy, how will he look when he is angry? I, for one, want no such sour-looking king!”

Then the Crow flew up into the air crying, “I don’t like it! I don’t like it!” The Owl rose and followed him. From that time on the Crows and the Owls have been enemies. The birds chose a Turtle Dove to be their king, and then flew to their homes.

The Crab and the Crane

In a time of drought, a deceptive Crane offered to save Fishes from their drying pond by transporting them to a lush one. After tricking a Fish to verify the pond’s existence, the Crane lured the others and ate them all. When he tried the same ploy on a Crab, the Crab saw through the trick, killed the Crane, and survived.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The crane uses deceit to lure the fish into a trap.

Trickster: The crane embodies the role of a trickster, using cunning to achieve his goals.

Revenge and Justice: The crab’s actions serve as retribution, bringing justice for the crane’s deceit.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
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In the Long Ago there was a summer when very little rain fell. All the Animals suffered for want of water, but the Fishes suffered most of all. In one pond full of Fishes, the water was very low indeed. A Crane sat on the bank watching the Fishes.

“What are you doing?” asked a little Fish.

“I am thinking about you Fishes there in the pond. It is so nearly dry,” answered the Crane.

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“Yes,” the Crane went on, “I was wishing I might do something for you. I know of a pond in the deep woods where there is plenty of water.”

“I declare,” said the little Fish, “you are the first Crane that ever offered to help a Fish.”

“That may be,” said the Crane, “but the water is so low in your pond. I could easily carry you one by one on my back to that other pond where there is plenty of water and food and cool shade.”

“I don’t believe there is any such pond,” said the little Fish. “What you wish to do is to eat us, one by one.”

“If you don’t believe me,” said the Crane, “send with me one of the Fishes whom you can believe. I’ll show him the pond and bring him back to tell you all about it.”

A big Fish heard the Crane and said, “I will go with you to see the pond–I may as well be eaten by the Crane as to die here.”

So the Crane put the big Fish on his back and started for the deep woods.

Soon the Crane showed the big Fish the pool of water. “See how cool and shady it is here,” he said, “and how much larger the pond is, and how full it is!”

“Yes!” said the big Fish, “take me back to the little pond and I’ll tell the other Fishes all about it.” So back they went.

The Fishes all wanted to go when they heard the big Fish talk about the fine pond which he had seen.

Then the Crane picked up another Fish and carried it away. Not to the pool, but into the woods where the other Fishes could not see them.

Then the Crane put the Fish down and ate it. The Crane went back for another Fish. He carried it to the same place in the woods and ate it, too.

This he did until he had eaten all the Fishes in the pond.

The next day the Crane went to the pond to see if he had left a Fish. There was not one left, but there was a Crab on the sand.

“Little Crab,” said the Crane, “would you let me take you to the fine pond in the deep woods where I took the Fishes?”

“But how could you carry me?” asked the Crab.

“Oh, easily,” answered the Crane. “I’ll take you on my back as I did the Fishes.”

“No, I thank you,” said the Crab, “I can’t go that way. I am afraid you might drop me. If I could take hold of your neck with my claws, I would go. You know we Crabs have a tight grip.”

The Crane knew about the tight grip of the Crabs, and he did not like to have the Crab hold on with his claws. But he was hungry, so he said:

“Very well, hold tight.”

And off went the Crane with the Crab.

When they reached the place where the Crane had eaten the Fishes, the Crane said:

“I think you can walk the rest of the way. Let go of my neck.”

“I see no pond,” said the Crab. “All I can see is a pile of Fish bones. Is that all that is left of the Fishes?”

“Yes,” said the Crane, “and if you will let go of my neck, your shell will be all that will be left of you.”

And the Crane put his head down near the ground so that the Crab could get off easily.

But the Crab pinched the Crane’s neck so that his head fell off. “Not my shell, but your bones are left to dry with the bones of the Fishes,” said the Crab.

Grannie’s Blackie

A rich man gifted a baby elephant to a woman, who cared for him dearly. Known as “Granny’s Blackie,” the elephant played with village children but never worked. One day, realizing Granny’s frailty, Blackie helped pull wagons for money. He earned fair pay and brought silver home to Granny. From then on, Blackie worked tirelessly, allowing Granny to rest, and they lived happily.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Transformation through Love: Blackie’s affection for Granny motivates his shift from a carefree life to one of responsibility, showcasing how love can inspire personal change.

Sacrifice: Blackie willingly takes on labor to ease Granny’s burdens, exemplifying the act of giving up one’s comfort for the well-being of a loved one.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts values of gratitude, responsibility, and selflessness, teaching readers the importance of caring for others.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a rich man gave a baby Elephant to a woman.

She took the best of care of this great baby and soon became very fond of him.

The children in the village called her Granny, and they called the Elephant “Granny’s Blackie.”

The Elephant carried the children on his back all over the village. They shared their goodies with him and he played with them.

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“Please, Blackie, give us a swing,” they said to him almost every day.

“Come on! Who is first?” Blackie answered and picked them up with his trunk, swung them high in the air, and then put them down again, carefully.

But Blackie never did any work.

He ate and slept, played with the children, and visited with Granny.

One day Blackie wanted Granny to go off to the woods with him.

“I can’t go, Blackie, dear. I have too much work to do.”

Then Blackie looked at her and saw that she was growing old and feeble.

“I am young and strong,” he thought. “I’ll see if I cannot find some work to do. If I could bring some money home to her, she would not have to work so hard.”

So next morning, bright and early, he started down to the river bank.

There he found a man who was in great trouble. There was a long line of wagons so heavily loaded that the oxen could not draw them through the shallow water.

When the man saw Blackie standing on the bank he asked, “Who owns this Elephant? I want to hire him to help my Oxen pull these wagons across the river.”

A child standing near by said, “That is Granny’s Blackie.”

“Very well,” said the man, “I’ll pay two pieces of silver for each wagon this Elephant draws across the river.”

Blackie was glad to hear this promise. He went into the river, and drew one wagon after another across to the other side.

Then he went up to the man for the money.

The man counted out one piece of silver for each wagon.

When Blackie saw that the man had counted out but one piece of silver for each wagon, instead of two, he would not touch the money at all. He stood in the road and would not let the wagons pass him.

The man tried to get Blackie out of the way, but not one step would he move.

Then the man went back and counted out another piece of silver for each of the wagons and put the silver in a bag tied around Blackie’s neck.

Then Blackie started for home, proud to think that he had a present for Granny.

The children had missed Blackie and had asked Granny where he was, but she said she did not know where he had gone.

They all looked for him but it was nearly night before they heard him coming.

“Where have you been, Blackie? And what is that around your neck?” the children cried, running to meet their playmate.

But Blackie would not stop to talk with his playmates. He ran straight home to Granny.

“Oh, Blackie!” she said, “Where have you been? What is in that bag?” And she took the bag off his neck.

Blackie told her that he had earned some money for her.

“Oh, Blackie, Blackie,” said Granny, “how hard you must have worked to earn these pieces of silver! What a good Blackie you are!”

And after that Blackie did all the hard work and Granny rested, and they were both very happy.

The Ox Who Envied the Pig

Big Red and Little Red, two ox brothers, worked tirelessly on a farm, eating humble grass and straw. Little Red envied the Pig’s luxurious diet, but Big Red warned him it was “the food of death,” as the Pig was being fattened for a wedding feast. When the Pig met his fate, Little Red learned the value of contentment and a simple, enduring life.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The narrative teaches the value of being content with one’s circumstances and warns against envying others without understanding their situation.

Cunning and Deception: The pig’s seemingly favorable treatment is deceptive, as it leads to its demise, highlighting how appearances can be misleading.

Transformation through Love: The ox brothers’ bond and Big Red’s guidance help Little Red transform his perspective, leading to personal growth and understanding.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
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Once upon a time there was an Ox named Big Red. He had a younger brother named Little Red. These two brothers did all the carting on a large farm.

Now the farmer had an only daughter and she was soon to be married. Her mother gave orders that the Pig should be fattened for the wedding feast.

Little Red noticed that the Pig was fed on choice food.

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He said to his brother, “How is it, Big Red, that you and I are given only straw and grass to eat, while we do all the hard work on the farm? That lazy Pig does nothing but eat the choice food the farmer gives him.”

Said his brother, “My dear Little Red, envy him not. That little Pig is eating the food of death! He is being fattened for the wedding feast. Eat your straw and grass and be content and live long.”

Not long afterwards the fattened Pig was killed and cooked for the wedding feast.

Then Big Red said, “Did you see, Little Red, what became of the Pig after all his fine feeding?”

“Yes,” said the little brother, “we can go on eating plain food for years, but the poor little Pig ate the food of death and now he is dead. His feed was good while it lasted, but it did not last long.”

The King’s White Elephant

A group of carpenters living by a forest once helped an injured Elephant by removing a splinter from its sore foot. Grateful, the Elephant assisted them with their work and introduced his white son to learn the tasks. The young Elephant bonded with the carpenters’ children, but was eventually purchased by a king, who cherished and cared for him throughout his life.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Harmony with Nature: The bond between the carpenters and the elephant illustrates respect and cooperation between humans and animals.

Cultural Heroes: The white elephant, revered by the king and the people, becomes a symbol of virtue and generosity, embodying the qualities of a hero.

Moral Lessons: The tale teaches kindness, reciprocity, and respect for life, emphasizing the rewards of good deeds.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a number of carpenters lived on a river bank near a large forest. Every day the carpenters went in boats to the forest to cut down the trees and make them into lumber.

One day while they were at work an Elephant came limping on three feet to them. He held up one foot and the carpenters saw that it was swollen and sore. Then the Elephant lay down and the men saw that there was a great splinter in the sore foot. They pulled it out and washed the sore carefully so that in a short time it would be well again.

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Thankful for the cure, the Elephant thought: “These carpenters have done so much for me, I must be useful to them.”

So after that the Elephant used to pull up trees for the carpenters. Sometimes when the trees were chopped down he would roll the logs down to the river. Other times he brought their tools for them. And the carpenters used to feed him well morning, noon and night.

Now this Elephant had a son who was white all over–a beautiful, strong young one. Said the old Elephant to himself, “I will take my son to the place in the forest where I go to work each day so that he may learn to help the carpenters, for I am no longer young and strong.”

So the old Elephant told his son how the carpenters had taken good care of him when he was badly hurt and took him to them. The white Elephant did as his father told him to do and helped the carpenters and they fed him well.

When the work was done at night the young Elephant went to play in the river. The carpenters’ children played with him, in the water and on the bank. He liked to pick them up in his trunk and set them on the high branches of the trees and then let them climb down on his back.

One day the king came down the river and saw this beautiful white Elephant working for the carpenters. The king at once wanted the Elephant for his own and paid the carpenters a great price for him. Then with a last look at his playmates, the children, the beautiful white Elephant went on with the king. The king was proud of his new Elephant and took the best care of him as long as he lived.

The Princes and the Water-Sprite

A king with three sons—Star, Moon, and Sun Princes—promised his queen a boon at Sun Prince’s birth. When the queen requested the kingdom for Sun Prince, the king refused, citing tradition. Fearing harm to the elder princes, he sent them to the forest, joined by Sun Prince. They encountered a water-sprite, but the eldest prince’s wisdom saved them. United, they ruled harmoniously after the king’s death.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Family Dynamics: The narrative explores complex familial relationships, particularly the bond among the three royal brothers and the tension arising from their mother’s desire to see her youngest son ascend the throne.

Trials and Tribulations: The princes face challenges, notably their encounter with the water-sprite, which tests their wisdom and unity.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts ethical teachings on the virtues of wisdom, unity, and rightful succession, highlighting the importance of adhering to tradition and making prudent decisions.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

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Once upon a time a king had three sons. The first was called Prince of the Stars. The next was called the Moon Prince and the third was called the Sun Prince. The king was so very happy when the third son was born that he promised to give the queen any boon she might ask. The queen kept the promise in mind, waiting until the third son was grown before asking the king to give her the boon. On the twenty-first birthday of the Sun Prince she said to the king, “Great King, when our youngest child was born you said you would give me a boon. Now I ask you to give the kingdom to Sun Prince.”

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But the king refused, saying that the kingdom must go to the oldest son, for it belonged by right to him. Next it would belong by right to the second son, and not until they were both dead could the kingdom go to the third son.

The queen went away, but the king saw that she was not pleased with his answer. He feared that she would do harm to the older princes to get them out of the way of the Sun Prince.

So he called his elder sons and told them that they must go and live in the forest until his death. “Then come back and reign in the city that is yours by right,” he said. And with tears he kissed them on the foreheads and sent them away.

As they were going down out of the palace, after saying good-by to their father, the Sun Prince called to them, “Where are you going?”

And when he heard where they were going and why, he said, “I will go with you, my brothers.”

So off they started. They went on and on and by and by they reached the forest. There they sat down to rest in the shade of a pond. Then the eldest brother said to Sun Prince, “Go down to the pond and bathe and drink. Then bring us a drink while we rest here.”

Now the King of the Fairies had given this pond to a water-sprite. The Fairy King had said to the water-sprite, “You are to have in your power all who go down into the water except those who give the right answer to one question. Those who give the right answer will not be in your power. The question is, ‘What are the Good Fairies like?'”

When the Sun Prince went into the pond the water–sprite saw him and asked him the question, “What are the Good Fairies like?”

“They are like the Sun and the Moon,” said the Sun Prince.

“You don’t know what the Good Fairies are like,” cried the water-sprite, and he carried the poor boy down into her cave.

By and by the eldest brother said, “Moon Prince, go down and see why our brother stays so long in the pond!”

As soon as the Moon Prince reached the water’s edge the water-sprite called to him and said, “Tell me what the Good Fairies are like!”

“Like the sky above us,” replied the Moon Prince.

“You don’t know, either,” said the water-sprite, and dragged the Moon Prince down into the cave where the Sun Prince sat.

“Something must have happened to those two brothers of mine,” thought the eldest. So he went to the pond and saw the marks of the footsteps where his brothers had gone down into the water. Then he knew that a water-sprite must live in that pond. He girded on his sword, and stood with his bow in his hand.

The water-sprite soon came along in the form of a woodsman.

“You seem tired, Friend,” he said to the prince. “Why don’t you bathe in the lake and then lie on the bank and rest?”

But the prince knew that it was a water-sprite and he said, “You have carried off my brothers!”

“Yes,” said the water-sprite.

“Why did you carry them off?”

“Because they did not answer my question,” said the water-sprite, “and I have power over all who go down into the water except those who do give the right answer.”

“I will answer your question,” said the eldest brother. And he did. “The Good Fairies are like

The pure in heart who fear to sin,

The good, kindly in word and deed.”

“O Wise Prince, I will bring back to you one of your brothers. Which shall I bring?” said the water-sprite.

“Bring me the younger one,” said the prince. “It was on his account that our father sent us away. I could never go away with Moon Prince and leave poor Sun Prince here.”

“O Wise Prince, you know what the good should do and you are kind. I will bring back both your brothers,” said the water-sprite. After that the three princes lived together in the forest until the king died. Then they went back to the palace. The eldest brother was made king and he had his brothers rule with him. He also built a home for the water-sprite in the palace grounds.

The Banyan Deer

In a forest, a golden Banyan Deer ruled a herd of 500, while another herd followed the Monkey Deer. A hunting king forced Deer into a park for easy hunting, sparking a pact between the Deer kings to minimize losses. When a mother Deer begged mercy for her child, the Banyan Deer sacrificed himself. His compassion moved the human king to cease hunting entirely, saving all Deer.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Sacrifice: The Banyan Deer king sacrifices himself to protect the mother deer and her unborn child.

Moral Lessons: The story teaches ethics of compassion, mercy, and the value of selflessness.

Conflict with Authority: The deer confronts the authority of the human king, ultimately influencing him to change his ways.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

There was once a Deer the color of gold. His eyes were like round jewels, his horns were white as silver, his mouth was red like a flower, his hoofs were bright and hard. He had a large body and a fine tail. He lived in a forest and was king of a herd of five hundred Banyan Deer. Near by lived another herd of Deer, called the Monkey Deer. They, too, had a king.

The king of that country was fond of hunting the Deer and eating deer meat. He did not like to go alone so he called the people of his town to go with him, day after day.

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The townspeople did not like this for while they were gone no one did their work. So they decided to make a park and drive the Deer into it. Then the king could go into the park and hunt and they could go on with their daily work.

They made a park, planted grass in it and provided water for the Deer, built a fence all around it and drove the Deer into it.

Then they shut the gate and went to the king to tell him that in the park near by he could find all the Deer he wanted.

The king went at once to look at the Deer. First he saw there the two Deer kings, and granted them their lives. Then he looked at their great herds.

Some days the king would go to hunt the Deer, sometimes his cook would go. As soon as any of the Deer saw them they would shake with fear and run. But when they had been hit once or twice they would drop down dead.

The King of the Banyan Deer sent for the King of the Monkey Deer and said, “Friend, many of the Deer are being killed. Many are wounded besides those who are killed. After this suppose one from my herd goes up to be killed one day, and the next day let one from your herd go up. Fewer Deer will be lost this way.”

The Monkey Deer agreed. Each day the Deer whose turn it was would go and lie down, placing its head on the block. The cook would come and carry off the one he found lying there.

One day the lot fell to a mother Deer who had a young baby. She went to her king and said, “O King of the Monkey Deer, let the turn pass me by until my baby is old enough to get along without me. Then I will go and put my head on the block.”

But the king did not help her. He told her that if the lot had fallen to her she must die.

Then she went to the King of the Banyan Deer and asked him to save her.

“Go back to your herd. I will go in your place,” said he.

The next day the cook found the King of the Banyan Deer lying with his head on the block. The cook went to the king, who came himself to find out about this.

“King of the Banyan Deer! did I not grant you your life? Why are you lying here?”

“O great King!” said the King of the Banyan Deer, “a mother came with her young baby and told me that the lot had fallen to her. I could not ask any one else to take her place, so I came myself.” “King of the Banyan Deer! I never saw such kindness and mercy. Rise up. I grant your life and hers. Nor will I hunt any more the Deer in either park or forest.”

The Elephant Girly-Face

An elephant named Girly-face, known for his gentle nature, is influenced by robbers’ cruel words overheard at night, turning violent and uncontrollable. The king’s wise man deduces the cause and suggests exposing Girly-face to kind and virtuous conversations. This approach restores Girly-face’s gentle behavior, illustrating how the company we keep and the words we hear profoundly shape our actions and character.

Source:
Jataka Tales
by Ellen C. Babbit
The Century Co., New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Transformation: Girly-face undergoes a significant behavioral change, first becoming violent after hearing the robbers and then returning to gentleness through exposure to positive influences.

Moral Lessons: The narrative illustrates the impact of external influences on one’s character and the importance of surrounding oneself with virtuous company.

Cunning and Deception: The robbers’ deceitful discussions serve as a catalyst for Girly-face’s initial transformation, highlighting how deceptive words can lead to negative outcomes

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a king had an Elephant named Girly-face. The Elephant was called Girly-face because he was so gentle and good and looked so kind. “Girly-face never hurts anybody,” the keeper of the Elephants often said.

Now one night some robbers came into the courtyard and sat on the ground just outside the stall where Girly-face slept. The talk of the robbers awoke Girly-face.

► Continue reading…

“This is the way to break into a house,” they said. “Once inside the house kill any one who wakens. A robber must not be afraid to kill. A robber must be cruel and have no pity. He must never be good, even for a moment.”

Girly-face said to himself, “Those men are teaching me how I should act. I will be cruel. I will show no pity. I will not be good–not even for a moment.”

So the next morning when the keeper came to feed Girly-face he picked him up in his trunk and threw the poor keeper to the ground, killing him.

Another keeper ran to see what the trouble was, and Girly-face killed him, too.

For days and days Girly-face was so ugly that no one dared go near. The food was left for him, but no man would go near him.

By and by the king heard of this and sent one of his wise men to find out what ailed Girly-face.

The wise man had known Girly-face a long time. He looked the Elephant over carefully and could find nothing that seemed to be the matter.

He thought at last, “Girly-face must have heard some bad men talking. Have there been any bad men talking about here?” asked the wise man.

“Yes,” one of the keepers said, “a band of robbers were caught here a few weeks ago. They had met in the yard to talk over their plans. They were talking together near the stall where Girly-face sleeps.”

So the wise man went back to the king. Said he, “I think Girly-face has been listening to bad talk. If you will send some good men to talk where Girly-face can hear them I think he will be a good Elephant once more.”

So that night the king sent a company of the best men to be found to sit and talk near the stall where Girly-face lived. They said to one another, “It is wrong to hurt any one. It is wrong to kill. Every one should be gentle and good.”

“Now those men are teaching me,” thought Girly-face. “I must be gentle and good. I must hurt no one. I must not kill any one.” And from that time on Girly-face was tame and as good as ever an Elephant could be.