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
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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.

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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
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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.

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“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.

The Wise and the Foolish Merchant

A wise merchant and a foolish merchant embark on separate journeys across a desert. The foolish merchant falls victim to a deceptive demon, discarding his vital water supply and ultimately perishing with his company. The wise merchant, discerning the demon’s ploy, safeguards his resources and survives. He later profits by utilizing the abandoned goods of the foolish merchant, exemplifying prudence and foresight.

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

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The demon employs deception to mislead the foolish merchant into discarding his water supply, showcasing the classic trickster archetype.

Cunning and Deception: The narrative emphasizes the dangers of deceit and the importance of discernment, as the foolish merchant falls victim to the demon’s ploy.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a lesson on the value of wisdom and prudence over naivety, highlighting the consequences of gullibility and the rewards of foresight.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time in a certain country a thrifty merchant visited a great city and bought a great supply of goods. He loaded wagons with the goods, which he was going to sell as he traveled through the country.

A stupid young merchant was buying goods in the same city. He, too, was going to sell what he bought as he traveled through the country.

They were both ready to start at the same time.

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The thrifty merchant thought, “We cannot travel together, for the men will find it hard to get wood and water, and there will not be enough grass for so many oxen. Either he or I ought to go first.”

So he went to the young man and told him this, saying, “Will you go before or come on after me?”

The other one thought, “It will be better for me to go first. I shall then travel on a road that is not cut up. The oxen will eat grass that has not been touched. The water will be clean. Also, I shall sell my goods at what price I like.” So he said, “Friend, I will go on first.”

This answer pleased the thrifty merchant. He said to himself, “Those who go before will make the rough places smooth. The old rank grass will have been eaten by the oxen that have gone before, while my oxen will eat the freshly grown tender shoots. Those who go before will dig wells from which we shall drink. Then, too, I will not have to bother about setting prices, but I can sell my goods at the prices set by the other man.” So he said aloud, “Very well, friend, you may go on first.”

At once the foolish merchant started on his journey. Soon he had left the city and was in the country. By and by he came to a desert which he had to cross. So he filled great water-jars with water, loaded them into a large wagon and started across the desert.

Now on the sands of this desert there lived a wicked demon. This demon saw the foolish young merchant coming and thought to himself, “If I can make him empty those water-jars, soon I shall be able to overcome him and have him in my power.”

So the demon went further along the road and changed himself into the likeness of a noble gentleman. He called up a beautiful carriage, drawn by milk-white oxen. Then he called ten other demons, dressed them like men and armed them with bows and arrows, swords and shields. Seated in his carriage, followed by the ten demons, he rode back to meet the merchant. He put mud on the carriage wheels, hung water-lilies and wet grasses upon the oxen and the carriage. Then he made the clothes the demons wore and their hair all wet. Drops of water trickled down over their faces just as if they had all come through a stream.

As the demons neared the foolish merchant they turned their carriage to one side of the way, saying pleasantly, “Where are you going?”

The merchant replied, “We have come from the great city back there and are going across the desert to the villages beyond. You come dripping with mud and carrying water-lilies and grasses. Does it rain on the road you have come by? Did you come through a stream?”

The demon answered, “The dark streak across the sky is a forest. In it there are ponds full of water-lilies. The rains come often. What have you in all those carts?”

“Goods to be sold,” replied the merchant.

“But in that last big heavy wagon what do you carry?” the demon asked.

“Jars full of water for the journey,” answered the merchant.

The demon said, “You have done well to bring water as far as this, but there is no need of it beyond. Empty out all that water and go on easily.” Then he added, “But we have delayed too long. Drive on!” And he drove on until he was out of sight of the merchant. Then he returned to his home with his followers to wait for the night to come.

The foolish merchant did as the demon bade him and emptied every jar, saving not even a cupful. On and on they traveled and the streak on the sky faded with the sunset. There was no forest, the dark line being only clouds. No water was to be found. The men had no water to drink and no food to eat, for they had no water in which to cook their rice, so they went thirsty and supperless to bed. The oxen, too, were hungry and thirsty and dropped down to sleep here and there. Late at night the demons fell upon them and easily carried off every man. They drove the oxen on ahead of them, but the loaded carts they did not care to take away.

A month and a half after this the wise merchant followed over the same road. He, too, was met on the desert by the demon just as the other had been. But the wise man knew the man was a demon because he cast no shadow. When the demon told him of the ponds in the forest ahead and advised him to throw away the water-jars the wise merchant replied, “We don’t throw away the water we have until we get to a place where we see there is more.”

Then the demon drove on. But the men who were with the merchant said, “Sir! those men told us that yonder was the beginning of a great forest, and from there onwards it was always raining. Their clothes and hair were dripping with water. Let us throw away the water-jars and go on faster with lighter carts!”

Stopping all the carts the wise merchant asked the men, “Have you ever heard any one say that there was a lake or pond in this desert? You have lived near here always.”

“We never heard of a pond or lake,” they said.

“Does any man feel a wind laden with dampness blowing against him?” he asked.

“No, sir,” they answered.

“Can you see a rain cloud, any of you?” said he.

“No, sir, not one,” they said.

“Those fellows were not men, they were demons!” said the wise merchant. “They must have come out to make us throw away the water. Then when we were faint and weak they might have put an end to us. Go on at once and don’t throw away a single half-pint of water.”

So they drove on and before nightfall they came upon the loaded wagons belonging to the foolish merchant.

Then the thrifty merchant had his wagons drawn up in a circle. In the middle of the circle he had the oxen lie down, and also some of the men. He himself with the head men stood on guard, swords in hand and waited for the demons. But the demons did not bother them. Early the next day the thrifty merchant took the best of the wagons left by the foolish merchant and went on safely to the city across the desert.

There he sold all the goods at a profit and returned with his company to his own city.

The Foolish, Timid Rabbit

A Rabbit, startled by the sound of a falling coconut, believed the earth was breaking apart and fled in panic. His fear spread to other animals, creating a stampede. The Lion, sensing error, investigated and discovered the truth, calming everyone. The tale underscores the dangers of blind fear and the value of wise leadership to prevent mass hysteria.

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

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The fable teaches the importance of critical thinking and not succumbing to unfounded fears.

Cunning and Deception: Although unintentional, the rabbit’s misinterpretation leads to widespread panic, highlighting how misinformation can deceive and mislead.

Guardian Figures: The lion acts as a protector and voice of reason, guiding the animals back to safety and calmness.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time, a Rabbit was asleep under a palm-tree.

All at once he woke up, and thought: “What if the world should break up! What then would become of me?”

At that moment, some Monkeys dropped a cocoanut. It fell down on the ground just back of the Rabbit.

Hearing the noise, the Rabbit said to himself: “The earth is all breaking up!”

► Continue reading…

And he jumped up and ran just as fast as he could, without even looking back to see what made the noise.

Another Rabbit saw him running, and called after him, “What are you running so fast for?”

“Don’t ask me!” he cried.

But the other Rabbit ran after him, begging to know what was the matter.

Then the first Rabbit said: “Don’t you know? The earth is all breaking up!”

And on he ran, and the second Rabbit ran with him.

The next Rabbit they met ran with them when he heard that the earth was all breaking up.

One Rabbit after another joined them, until there were hundreds of Rabbits running as fast as they could go.

They passed a Deer, calling out to him that the earth was all breaking up. The Deer then ran with them.

The Deer called to a Fox to come along because the earth was all breaking up.

On and on they ran, and an Elephant joined them.

At last the Lion saw the animals running, and heard their cry that the earth was all breaking up.

He thought there must be some mistake, so he ran to the foot of a hill in front of them and roared three times.

This stopped them, for they knew the voice of the King of Beasts, and they feared him.

“Why are you running so fast?” asked the Lion.

“Oh, King Lion,” they answered him, “the earth is all breaking up!”

“Who saw it breaking up?” asked the Lion.

“I didn’t,” said the Elephant. “Ask the Fox–he told me about it.”

“I didn’t,” said the Fox.

“The Rabbits told me about it,” said the Deer.

One after another of the Rabbits said: “I did not see it, but another Rabbit told me about it.”

At last the Lion came to the Rabbit who had first said the earth was all breaking up.

“Is it true that the earth is all breaking up?” the Lion asked.

“Yes, O Lion, it is,” said the Rabbit. “I was asleep under a palm-tree. I woke up and thought, ‘What would become of me if the earth should all break up?’ At that very moment, I heard the sound of the earth breaking up, and I ran away.”

“Then,” said the Lion, “you and I will go back to the place where the earth began to break up, and see what is the matter.”

So the Lion put the little Rabbit on his back, and away they went like the wind. The other animals waited for them at the foot of the hill.

The Rabbit told the Lion when they were near the place where he slept, and the Lion saw just where the Rabbit had been sleeping.

He saw, too, the cocoanut that had fallen to the ground near by. Then the Lion said to the Rabbit, “It must have been the sound of the cocoanut falling to the ground that you heard. You foolish Rabbit!”

And the Lion ran back to the other animals, and told them all about it.

If it had not been for the wise King of Beasts, they might be running still.

The Measure of Rice

A dishonest king replaced his honest Valuer with a foolish peasant to manipulate prices for personal gain. The new Valuer grossly undervalued goods, leading to absurd outcomes, such as pricing 500 horses at a measure of rice. Tricked by the honest ex-Valuer’s plan, the peasant revealed his incompetence by valuing the rice as worth the entire city, embarrassing the king and restoring fairness.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The honest ex-Valuer devises a clever plan to expose the foolishness of the new Valuer and the king’s greed.

Moral Lessons: The story teaches the importance of honesty and competence in positions of authority, and the consequences of greed and foolishness.

Conflict with Authority: The ex-Valuer challenges the king’s decision by orchestrating a situation that reveals the flaws in the king’s judgment.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

At one time a dishonest king had a man called the Valuer in his court. The Valuer set the price which ought to be paid for horses and elephants and the other animals. He also set the price on jewelry and gold, and things of that kind.

This man was honest and just, and set the proper price to be paid to the owners of the goods. The king was not pleased with this Valuer, because he was honest. “If I had another sort of a man as Valuer, I might gain more riches,” he thought.

► Continue reading…

One day the king saw a stupid, miserly peasant come into the palace yard. The king sent for the fellow and asked him if he would like to be the Valuer. The peasant said he would like the position. So the king had him made Valuer. He sent the honest Valuer away from the palace.

Then the peasant began to set the prices on horses and elephants, upon gold and jewels. He did not know their value, so he would say anything he chose. As the king had made him Valuer, the people had to sell their goods for the price he set.

By and by a horse-dealer brought five hundred horses to the court of this king. The Valuer came and said they were worth a mere measure of rice. So the king ordered the horse-dealer to be given the measure of rice, and the horses to be put in the palace stables.

The horse-dealer went then to see the honest man who had been the Valuer, and told him what had happened.

“What shall I do?” asked the horse-dealer.

“I think you can give a present to the Valuer which will make him do and say what you want him to do and say,” said the man. “Go to him and give him a fine present, then say to him: ‘You said the horses are worth a measure of rice, but now tell what a measure of rice is worth! Can you value that standing in your place by the king?’ If he says he can, go with him to the king, and I will be there, too.”

The horse-dealer thought this was a good idea. So he took a fine present to the Valuer, and said what the other man had told him to say.

The Valuer took the present, and said: “Yes, I can go before the king with you and tell what a measure of rice is worth. I can value that now.”

“Well, let us go at once,” said the horse-dealer. So they went before the king and his ministers in the palace.

The horse-dealer bowed down before the king, and said: “O King, I have learned that a measure of rice is the value of my five hundred horses. But will the king be pleased to ask the Valuer what is the value of the measure of rice?”

The king, not knowing what had happened, asked: “How now, Valuer, what are five hundred horses worth?”

“A measure of rice, O King!” said he.

“Very good, then! If five hundred horses are worth a measure of rice, what is the measure of rice worth?”

“The measure of rice is worth your whole city,” replied the foolish fellow.

The ministers clapped their hands, laughing, and saying, “What a foolish Valuer! How can such a man hold that office? We used to think this great city was beyond price, but this man says it is worth only a measure of rice.”

Then the king was ashamed, and drove out the foolish fellow. “I tried to please the king by setting a low price on the horses, and now see what has happened to me!” said the Valuer, as he ran away from the laughing crowd.