The Elephant and the Dog

An Elephant and a Dog form a deep friendship while sharing food and companionship in the king’s stable. When a farmer buys the Dog, the Elephant becomes despondent, refusing to eat or bathe. The king learns of their bond and orders the Dog’s release. Reunited, the two friends joyfully resume their life together, inseparable and happy for the rest of their days.

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

► Themes of the story

Transformation through Love: The elephant’s behavior transforms due to the emotional bond with the dog, highlighting how love and companionship can significantly impact well-being.

Community and Isolation: The narrative explores the effects of companionship versus separation, illustrating the importance of social bonds in overcoming feelings of isolation.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts lessons on empathy, the significance of friendship, and the understanding that emotional bonds are vital for happiness and health.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a Dog used to go into the stable where the king’s Elephant lived. At first the Dog went there to get the food that was left after the Elephant had finished eating.

Day after day the Dog went to the stable, waiting around for bits to eat. But by and by the Elephant and the Dog came to be great friends. Then the Elephant began to share his food with the Dog, and they ate together. When the Elephant slept, his friend the Dog slept beside him.

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When the Elephant felt like playing, he would catch the Dog in his trunk and swing him to and fro. Neither the Dog nor the Elephant was quite happy unless the other was nearby.

One day a farmer saw the Dog and said to the Elephant-keeper: “I will buy that Dog. He looks good-tempered, and I see that he is smart. How much do you want for the Dog?”

The Elephant-keeper did not care for the Dog, and he did want some money just then. So he asked a fair price, and the fanner paid it and took the Dog away to the country.

The king’s Elephant missed the Dog and did not care to eat when his friend was not there to share the food. When the time came for the Elephant to bathe, he would not bathe. The next day again the Elephant would not eat, and he would not bathe. The third day, when the Elephant would neither eat nor bathe, the king was told about it.

The king sent for his chief servant, saying, “Go to the stable and find out why the Elephant is acting in this way.”

The chief servant went to the stable and looked the Elephant all over. Then he said to the Elephant-keeper: “There seems to be nothing the matter with this Elephant’s body, but why does he look so sad? Has he lost a playmate?”

“Yes,” said the keeper, “there was a Dog who ate and slept and played with the Elephant. The Dog went away three days ago.”

“Do you know where the Dog is now?” asked the chief servant.

“No, I do not,” said the keeper.

Then the chief servant went back to the king and said, “The Elephant is not sick, but he is lonely without his friend, the Dog.”

“Where is the Dog?” asked the king.

“A farmer took him away, so the Elephant-keeper says,” said the chief servant. “No one knows where the farmer lives.”

“Very well,” said the king. “I will send word all over the country, asking the man who bought this Dog to turn him loose. I will give him back as much as he paid for the Dog.”

When the farmer who had bought the Dog heard this, he turned him loose. The Dog ran back as fast as ever he could go to the Elephant’s stable. The Elephant was so glad to see the Dog that he picked him up with his trunk and put him on his head. Then he put him down again.

When the Elephant-keeper brought food, the Elephant watched the Dog as he ate, and then took his own food.

All the rest of their lives the Elephant and the Dog lived together.

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Beauty and Brownie

Two deer, Beauty and Brownie, lived with their parents in a forest. Their father warned them of hunters’ traps during corn season and instructed them to lead their herds to the hills, traveling by night and avoiding villages. Beauty followed the advice, losing no deer, while careless Brownie traveled by day and near villages, losing most of his herd.

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

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts a lesson on the importance of heeding wise counsel and exercising caution to avoid danger.

Trials and Tribulations: Both brothers face the challenge of leading their herds safely through perilous circumstances, highlighting their differing approaches and outcomes.

Family Dynamics: The story explores the relationship between the father and his sons, emphasizing the father’s concern and the contrasting responses of Beauty and Brownie to his advice.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Two Deer named Beauty and Brownie lived with their father and mother and great herds of Deer in a forest.

One day their father called them to him and said: “The Deer in the forest are always in danger when the corn is ripening in the fields. It will be best for you to go away for a while, and you must each take your own herd of Deer with you.”

“What is the danger, Father?” they asked.

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“When the Deer go into the fields to eat the corn they get caught in the traps the men set there,” the father said. “Many Deer are caught in these traps every year.”

“Shall you go away with us?” Brownie said.

“No, your mother and I, and some of the other old Deer will stay here in the forest,” said the father. “There will be food enough for us, but there is not enough for you and your herds. You must lead your herds up into the high hills where there is plenty of food for you, and stay there until the crops are all cut. Then you can bring your herds back here. But you must be careful.

“You must travel by night, because the hunters will see you if you go by day. And you must not take your herd near the villages where hunters live.”

So Beauty and Brownie and their herds set out. Beauty traveled at night and did not go near any villages, and at last brought his herd safely to the high hills. Not a single Deer did Beauty lose.

But Brownie forgot what his father had said. Early each morning he started off with his herd, going along all through the day. When he saw a village, he led his herd right past it. Again and again hunters saw the herd, and they killed many, many of the Deer in Brownie’s herd. When crops had been cut, the Deer started back to the forest. Beauty led all his herd back, but stupid Brownie traveled in the daytime, and again he took his herd past the villages. When he reached the forest only a few were left of all Brownie’s herd.

Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals

A cruel prince, hated by all, is swept away during a storm and saved by a kind poor man alongside a Snake, Rat, and Parrot. The animals vow gratitude, but the prince betrays the man upon becoming king. The people rebel, kill the ungrateful ruler, and crown the poor man king. Honoring promises, he thrives with his animal friends, ruling wisely and justly.

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

► Themes of the story

Transformation through Love: The narrative illustrates how the poor man’s compassionate actions lead to a transformation in his status and life circumstances.

Cunning and Deception: Prince Wicked’s betrayal of the man who saved him highlights themes of deceit and treachery.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts ethical teachings, emphasizing the virtues of kindness and the consequences of ingratitude.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a king had a son named Prince Wicked. He was fierce and cruel, and he spoke to nobody without abuse, or blows. Like grit in the eye, was Prince Wicked to every one, both in the palace and out of it.

His people said to one another, “If he acts this way while he is a prince, how will he act when he is king?”

One day when the prince was swimming in the river, suddenly a great storm came on, and it grew very dark.

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In the darkness the servants who were with the prince swam from him, saying to themselves, “Let us leave him alone in the river, and he may drown.”

When they reached the shore, some of the servants who had not gone into the river said, “Where is Prince Wicked?”

“Isn’t he here?” they asked. “Perhaps he came out of the river in the darkness and went home.” Then the servants all went back to the palace.

The king asked where his son was, and again the servants said: “Isn’t he here, O King? A great storm came on soon after we went into the water. It grew very dark. When we came out of the water the prince was not with us.”

At once the king had the gates thrown open. He and all his men searched up and down the banks of the river for the missing prince. But no trace of him could be found.

In the darkness the prince had been swept down the river. He was crying for fear he would drown when he came across a log. He climbed upon the log, and floated farther down the river.

When the great storm arose, the water rushed into the homes of a Rat and a Snake who lived on the river bank. The Rat and the Snake swam out into the river and found the same log the prince had found. The Snake climbed upon one end of the log, and the Rat climbed upon the other.

On the river’s bank a cottonwood-tree grew, and a young Parrot lived in its branches. The storm pulled up this tree, and it fell into the river. The heavy rain beat down the Parrot when it tried to fly, and it could not go far. Looking down it saw the log and flew down to rest. Now there were four on the log floating down stream together.

Just around the bend in the river a certain poor man had built himself a hut. As he walked to and fro late at night listening to the storm, he heard the loud cries of the prince. The poor man said to himself: “I must get that man out of the water. I must save his life.” So he shouted: “I will save you! I will save you!” as he swam out in the river.

Soon he reached the log, and pushing it by one end, he soon pushed it into the bank. The prince jumped up and down, he was so glad to be safe and sound on dry land.

Then the poor man saw the Snake, the Rat, and the Parrot, and carried them to his hut. He built a fire, putting the animals near it so they could get dry. He took care of them first, because they were the weaker, and afterwards he looked after the comfort of the prince.

Then the poor man brought food and set it before them, looking after the animals first and the prince afterwards. This made the young prince angry, and he said to himself: “This poor man does not treat me like a prince. He takes care of the animals before taking care of me.” Then the prince began to hate the poor man.

A few days later, when the prince, and the Snake, the Rat, and the Parrot were rested, and the storm was all over, the Snake said good-by to the poor man with these words:

“Father, you have been very kind to me. I know where there is some buried gold. If ever you want gold, you have only to come to my home and call, ‘Snake!’ and I will show you the buried gold. It shall all be yours.”

Next the Rat said good-by to the poor man. “If ever you want money,” said the Rat, “come to my home, and call out, ‘Rat!’ and I will show you where a great deal of money is buried near my home. It shall all be yours.”

Then the Parrot came, saying: “Father, silver and gold have I none, but if you ever want choice rice, come to where I live and call, ‘Parrot!’ and I will call all my family and friends together, and we will gather the choicest rice in the fields for you.”

Last came the prince. In his heart he hated the poor man who had saved his life. But he pretended to be as thankful as the animals had been, saying, “Come to me when I am king, and I will give you great riches.” So saying, he went away.

Not long after this the prince’s father died, and Prince Wicked was made king. He was then very rich.

By and by the poor man said to himself: “Each of the four whose lives I saved made a promise to me. I will see if they will keep their promises.”

First of all he went to the Snake, and standing near his hole, the poor man called out, “Snake!”

At once the Snake darted forth, and with every mark of respect he said: “Father, in this place there is much gold. Dig it up and take it all.”

“Very well,” said the poor man. “When I need it, I will not forget.”

After visiting for a while, the poor man said good-by to the Snake, and went to where the Rat lived, calling out, “Rat!”

The Rat came at once, and did as the Snake had done, showing the poor man where the money was buried.

“When I need it, I will come for it,” said the poor man.

Going next to the Parrot, he called out, “Parrot!” and the bird flew down from the tree-top as soon as he heard the call.

“O Father,” said the Parrot, “shall I call together all my family and friends to gather choice rice for you?”

The poor man, seeing that the Parrot was willing and ready to keep his promise, said: “I do not need rice now. If ever I do, I will not forget your offer.”

Last of all, the poor man went into the city where the king lived. The king, seated on his great white elephant, was riding through the city. The king saw the poor man, and said to himself: “That poor man has come to ask me for the great riches I promised to give him. I must have his head cut off before he can tell the people how he saved my life when I was the prince.”

So the king called his servants to him and said: “You see that poor man over there? Seize him and bind him, beat him at every corner of the street as you march him out of the city, and then chop off his head.”

The servants had to obey their king. So they seized and bound the poor man. They beat him at every corner of the street. The poor man did not cry out, but he said, over and over again, “It is better to save poor, weak animals than to save a prince.”

At last some wise men among the crowds along the street asked the poor man what prince he had saved. Then the poor man told the whole story, ending with the words, “By saving your king, I brought all this pain upon myself.”

The wise men and all the rest of the crowd cried out: “This poor man saved the life of our king, and now the king has ordered him to be killed. How can we be sure that he will not have any, or all, of us killed? Let us kill him.” And in their anger they rushed from every side upon the king as he rode on his elephant, and with arrows and stones they killed him then and there.

Then they made the poor man king, and set him to rule over them.

The poor man ruled his people well. One day he decided once more to try the Snake, the Rat, and the Parrot. So, followed by many servants, the king went to where the Snake lived.

At the call of “Snake!” out came the Snake from his hole, saying, “Here, O King, is your treasure; take it.”

“I will,” said the king. “And I want you to come with me.”

Then the king had his servants dig up the gold.

Going to where the Rat lived, the king called, “Rat!” Out came the Rat, and bowing low to the king, the Rat said, “Take all the money buried here and have your servants carry it away.”

“I will,” said the king, and he asked the Rat to go with him and the Snake.

Then the king went to where the Parrot lived, and called, “Parrot!” The Parrot flew down to the king’s feet and said, “O King, shall I and my family and my friends gather choice rice for you?”

“Not now, not until rice is needed,” said the king. “Will you come with us?” The Parrot was glad to join them.

So with the gold, and the money, and with the Snake, the Rat, and the Parrot as well, the king went back to the city. The king had the gold and the money hidden away in the palace. He had a tube of gold made for the Snake to live in. He had a glass box made for the Rat’s home, and a cage of gold for the Parrot. Each had the food he liked best of all to eat every day, and so these four lived happily all their lives.

The Wise Goat and the Wolf

A wise Goat outsmarts a pair of Wolves who try repeatedly to catch her. Using cunning and caution, she evades their deceptive traps. When the Wolves attempt to lure her a final time, the Goat pretends to bring fierce canine friends, scaring the Wolves away for good. Her intelligence and quick thinking ensure her safety, leaving the Wolves defeated and hungry.

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

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The goat embodies the trickster archetype by using her wit to outsmart the wolves’ deceptive traps.

Cunning and Deception: The narrative revolves around the use of cunning and deceptive strategies, both by the wolves attempting to lure the goat and by the goat devising clever plans to evade them.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a moral lesson on the value of intelligence, caution, and quick thinking in overcoming adversaries and ensuring one’s safety.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time, many, many wild Goats lived in a cave in the side of a hill.

A Wolf lived with his mate not far from this cave.

Like all Wolves they liked the taste of Goat-meat. So they caught the Goats, one after another, and ate them all but one who was wiser than all the others.

Try as they might, the Wolves could not catch her.

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One day the Wolf said to his mate: “My dear, let us play a trick on that wise Goat. I will lie down here pretending to be dead. You go alone to the cave where the Goat lives, and looking very sad, say to her: ‘My dear, do you see my mate lying there dead? I am so sad; I have no friends. Will you be good to me? Will you come and help me bury the body of my mate?’ The Goat will be sorry for you and I think she will come here with you. When she stands beside me I will spring upon her and bite her in the neck. Then she will fall over dead, and we shall have good meat to eat.”

The Wolf then lay down, and his mate went to the Goat, saying what she had been told to say.

But the wise Goat said: “My dear, all my family and friends have been eaten by your mate I am afraid to go one step with you. I am far safer here than I would be there.”

“Do not be afraid,” said the Wolf. “What harm can a dead Wolf do to you?”

These and many more words the Wolf said to the Goat, so that at last the Goat said she would go with the Wolf.

But as they went up the hill side by side, the Goat said to herself: “Who knows what will happen? How do I know the Wolf is dead?” She said to the Wolf, “I think it will be better if you go on in front of me.”

The Wolf thought he heard them coming. He was hungry and he raised up his head to see if he could see them The Goat saw him raise his head, and she turned and ran back to her cave.

“Why did you raise your head when you were pretending to be dead?” the Wolf asked her mate. He had no good answer.

By and by the Wolves were both so very hungry that the Wolf asked his mate to try once more to catch the Goat.

This time the Wolf went to the Goat and said: “My friend, your coming helped us, for as soon as you came, my mate felt better. He is now very much better. Come and talk to him. Let us be friends and have a good time together.”

The wise Goat thought: “These wicked Wolves want to play another trick on me. But I have thought of a trick to play on them.” So the Goat said: “I will go to see your mate, and I will take my friends with me. You go back and get ready for us. Let us all have a good time together.”

Then the Wolf was afraid, and she asked: “Who are the friends who will come with you? Tell me their names.”

The wise Goat said: “I will bring the two Hounds, Old Gray and Young Tan, and that fine big dog called Four-Eyes. And I will ask each of them to bring his mate.” The Wolf waited to hear no more. She turned, and away she ran back to her mate. The Goat never saw either of them again.

The Lion In Bad Company

A young Lion befriends a cunning Wolf despite his parents’ warnings. The Wolf manipulates the Lion into hunting ponies, leading to repeated thefts from the king. The king’s archer ultimately shoots the Lion during a raid, and the Wolf, abandoning loyalty, flees to the woods. The tale highlights the dangers of ignoring wise counsel and trusting unworthy companions.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The Wolf manipulates the young Lion into stealing the king’s ponies for his own desire for horse-meat.

Tragic Flaw: The young Lion’s disregard for his parents’ advice and his naivety in trusting the Wolf lead to his downfall.

Moral Lessons: The tale teaches the importance of heeding wise counsel and the dangers of associating with untrustworthy companions.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

One day a young Lion came suddenly upon a Wolf. The Wolf was not able to get away, so he said to the Lion: “Please, Great Lion, could you take me to your den, and let me live with you and your mate? I will work for you all my days.”

This young Lion had been told by his father and mother not to make friends with any Wolf. But when this Wolf called him “Great Lion,” he said to himself: “This Wolf is not bad. This Wolf is not like other Wolves.” So he took the Wolf to the den where he lived with his father and mother.

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Now this Lion’s father was a fine old Lion, and he told his son that he did not like having this Wolf there. But the young Lion thought he knew better than his father, so the Wolf stayed in the den.

One day the Wolf wanted horse-flesh to eat, so he said to the young Lion, “Sir, there is nothing we have not eaten except horse-meat; let us take a horse.”

“But where are there horses?” asked the Lion.

“There are small ponies on the river bank,” said the Wolf.

So the young Lion went with the Wolf to the river bank when the ponies were bathing. The Lion caught a small pony, and throwing it on his back, he ran back to his den.

His father said: “My son, those ponies belong to the king. Kings have many skilful archers. Lions do not live long who eat ponies belonging to the king. Do not take another pony.”

But the young Lion liked the taste of horse-meat, and he caught and killed pony after pony.

Soon the king heard that a Lion was killing the ponies when they went to bathe in the river. “Build a tank inside the town,” said the king. “The lion will not get the ponies there.” But the Lion killed the ponies as they bathed in the tank.

Then the king said the ponies must be kept in the stables. But the Lion went over the wall, and killed the ponies in their stables.

At last the king called an archer, who shot like lightning. “Do you think you can shoot this Lion?” the king asked him. The archer said that he was sure he could. “Very well,” said the king, “take your place in the tower on the wall, and shoot him.” So the archer waited there in the tower.

By and by the Lion and the Wolf came to the wall. The Wolf did not go over the wall but waited to see what would happen. The Lion sprang over the wall. Very soon he caught and killed a pony. Then the archer let fly an arrow.

The Lion roared, “I am shot.”

Then the Wolf said to himself: “The Lion has been shot, and soon he will die. I will now go back to my old home in the woods.” And so he did. The Lion fell down dead.

The Stolen Plow

Two traders, one from a village and one from a town, dispute over deceit. The town trader claims mice ate the village trader’s plow, while the village trader retaliates, saying a bird carried off the town trader’s son. In court, the village trader reveals the absurdity of both claims. The judge resolves the matter, restoring the son and the plow to their rightful owners.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The town trader’s dishonest claim about the plow and the village trader’s clever retaliation both center on deceit and wit.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson on the consequences of dishonesty and the value of justice.

Revenge and Justice: The village trader’s actions serve as a form of retribution, ultimately leading to a fair resolution.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once there were two traders who were great friends. One of them lived in a small village, and one lived in a large town near-by.

One day the village trader took his plow to the large town to have it mended. Then he left it with the trader who lived there. After some time the town trader sold the plow, and kept the money.

When the trader from the village came to get his plow the town trader said, “The mice have eaten your plow.”

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“That is strange! How could mice eat such a thing?” said the village trader.

That afternoon when all the children went down to the river to go swimming, the village trader took the town trader’s little son to the house of a friend saying, “Please keep this little boy here until I come back for him.”

By and by the villager went back to the town trader’s house.

“Where is my son? He went away with you. Why didn’t you bring him back?” asked the town trader.

“I took him with me and left him on the bank of the river while I went down into the water,” said the villager. “While I was swimming about a big bird seized your son, and flew up into the air with him. I shouted, but I could not make the bird let go,” he said.

“That cannot be true,” cried the town trader. “No bird could carry off a boy. I will go to the court, and you will have to go there, and tell the judge.”

The villager said, “As you please”; and they both went to the court. The town trader said to the judge:

“This fellow took my son with him to the river, and when I asked where the boy was, he said that a bird had carried him off.”

“What have you to say?” said the judge to the village trader.

“I told the father that I took the boy with me, and that a bird had carried him off,” said the village trader.

“But where in the world are there birds strong enough to carry off boys?” said the judge.

“I have a question to ask you,” answered the village trader. “If birds cannot carry off boys, can mice eat plows?”

“What do you mean by that?” asked the judge.

“I left my good plow with this man. When I came for it he told me that the mice had eaten it. If mice eat plows, then birds carry off boys; but if mice cannot do this, neither can birds carry off boys. This man says the mice ate my plow.”

The judge said to the town trader, “Give back the plow to this man, and he will give your son back to you.” And the two traders went out of the court, and by night-time one had his son back again, and the other had his plow.

The Foolhardy Wolf

A Lion and a Wolf form an alliance where the Wolf scouts for prey, and the Lion hunts and shares the spoils. The Wolf, growing arrogant from abundance, desires to hunt an elephant alone, ignoring the Lion’s warnings. Attempting the feat, the Wolf fails and is killed by the elephant. The Lion remarks on the Wolf’s folly, underscoring the dangers of overestimating one’s abilities.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The wolf’s initial strategy of aligning with the lion to secure food showcases cunning behavior.

Tragic Flaw: The wolf’s overestimation of its abilities and subsequent arrogance lead to its downfall, highlighting a classic tragic flaw.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts a lesson on the perils of hubris and the importance of recognizing one’s limitations.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

A lion bounded forth from his lair one day, looking north, west, south, and east. He saw a Buffalo and went to kill him. The Lion ate all of the Buffalo-meat he wanted, and then went down to the lake for a drink.

As the Lion turned to go toward his den for a nap, he came upon a hungry Wolf. The Wolf had no chance to get away, so he threw himself at the Lion’s feet.

“What do you want?” the Lion asked.

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“O Lion, let me be your servant,” said the Wolf. “Very well,” said the Lion, “serve me, and you shall have good food to eat.”

So saying, the Lion went into his den for his nap. When he woke up, the Lion said to the Wolf: “Each day you must go to the mountain top, and see whether there are any elephants, or ponies, or buffaloes about. If you see any, come to me and say: ‘Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.’ Then I will kill and eat, and give part of the meat to you.”

So day after day the Wolf climbed to the mountain top, and seeing a pony, or a buffalo, or an elephant, he went back to the den, and falling at the Lion’s feet he said: “Great Lion, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.”

Then the Lion would bound forth and kill whichever beast it was, sharing the meat with the Wolf.

Now this Wolf had never had such fine meat to eat, nor so much. So as time went on, the Wolf grew bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger, until he was really proud of his great size and strength.

“See how big and strong I am,” he said to himself.

“Why am I living day after day on food given me by another? I will kill for my own eating. I’ll kill an elephant for myself.”

So the Wolf went to the Lion, and said: “I want to eat an elephant of my own killing. Will you let me lie in your corner in the den, while you climb the mountain to look out for an elephant? Then when you see one, you come to the den and say, ‘Great Wolf, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.’ Then I will kill the elephant.”

Said the Lion: “Wolf, only Lions can kill elephants. The world has never seen a Wolf that could kill an elephant. Give up this notion of yours, and eat what I kill.”

But no matter what the Lion said, the Wolf would not give way. So at last the Lion said: “Well, have your own way. Lie down in the den, and I will climb to the top of the mountain.”

When he saw an elephant the Lion went back to the mouth of the cave, and said: “Great Wolf, come forth in thy might. Food is in sight.”

Then from the den the Wolf nimbly bounded forth, ran to where the elephant was, and, howling three times, he sprang at the elephant.

But the Wolf missed his aim, and fell down at the elephant’s feet. The elephant raised his right foot and killed the Wolf. Seeing all this, the Lion said, “You will no more come forth in your might, you foolhardy Wolf.”

The Brave Little Bowman

A skilled but underestimated bowman teams up with a strong laborer to join a king’s army, with the bowman’s talent winning battles while the laborer takes credit. When a rival king attacks, the cowardly laborer flees, leaving the bowman to secure victory alone. Celebrated as a hero, the bowman earns the king’s trust and becomes the army’s chief, rewarded with honor and riches.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The little bowman cleverly devises a plan to join the king’s army by partnering with a strong man, knowing his own appearance might not gain him entry.

Moral Lessons: The narrative teaches the value of true skill and bravery over mere appearances, as the bowman’s talents ultimately lead to his recognition and reward.

Trials and Tribulations: The bowman faces various challenges, including dangerous missions and the betrayal of his partner, yet overcomes them through his prowess and determination.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time there was a little man with a crooked back who was called the wise little bowman because he used his bow and arrow so very well.

This crooked little man said to himself: “If I go to the king and ask him to let me join his army, he’s sure to ask what a little man like me is good for. I must find some great big man who will take me as his page, and ask the king to take us.”

So the little bowman went about the city looking for a big man.

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One day he saw a big, strong man digging a ditch “What makes a fine big man like you do such work?” asked the little man.

“I do this work because I can earn a living in no other way,” said the big man.

“Dig no more,” said the bowman. “There is in this whole country no such bowman as I am; but no king would let me join his army because I am such a little man. I want you to ask the king to let you join the army. He will take you because you are big and strong. I will do the work that you are given to do, and we will divide the pay. In this way we shall both of us earn a good living. Will you come with me and do as I tell you?” asked the little bowman.

“Yes, I will go with you,” said the big man.

So together they set out to go to the king. By and by they came to the gates of the palace, and sent word to the king that a wonderful bowman was there. The king sent for the bowman to come before him. Both the big man and the little man went in and, bowing, stood before the king.

The king looked at the big man and asked, “What brings you here?”

“I want to be in your army,” said the big man.

“Who is the little man with you?” asked the king.

“He is my page,” said the big man.

“What pay do you want?” asked the king.

“A thousand pieces a month for me and my page, O King,” said the big man.

“I will take you and your page,” said the king.

So the big man and the little bowman joined the king’s army.

Now in those days there was a tiger in the forest who had carried off many people. The king sent for the big man and told him to kill that tiger.

The big man told the little bowman what the king said. They went into the forest together, and soon the little bowman shot the tiger.

The king was glad to be rid of the tiger, and gave the big man rich gifts and praised him.

Another day word came that a buffalo was running up and down a certain road. The king told the big man to go and kill that buffalo. The big man and the little man went to the road, and soon the little man shot the buffalo. When they both went back to the king, he gave a bag of money to the big man.

The king and all the people praised the big man, and so one day the big man said to the little man: “I can get on without you. Do you think there’s no bowman but yourself?” Many other harsh and unkind things did he say to the little man.

But a few days later a king from a far country marched upon the city and sent a message to its king saying, “Give up your country, or do battle.”

The king at once sent his army. The big man was armed and mounted on a war-elephant. But the little bowman knew that the big man could not shoot, so he took his bow and seated himself behind the big man.

Then the war-elephant, at the head of the army, went out of the city. At the first beat of the drums, the big man shook with fear. “Hold on tight,” said the little bowman. “If you fall off now, you will be killed. You need not be afraid; I am here.”

But the big man was so afraid that he slipped down off the war-elephant’s back, and ran back into the city. He did not stop until he reached his home. “And now to win!” said the little bowman, as he drove the war-elephant into the fight. The army broke into the camp of the king that came from afar, and drove him back to his own country. Then the little bowman led the army back into the city. The king and all the people called him “the brave little bowman.” The king made him the chief of the army, giving him rich gifts.

The Hawks and Their Friends

A family of Hawks faced danger when hunters targeted their nest. The Father Hawk sought help from the Kingfisher, Turtle, and Lion, each playing a vital role to thwart the hunters. The Kingfisher extinguished fires, the Turtle disrupted their plans, and the Lion’s roar scared them away. Together, these friends showcased the strength of unity and the value of true friendship in times of need.

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

► Themes of the story

Good vs. Evil: The hawks and their allies (Kingfisher, Turtle, and Lion) collaborate to protect their young from the hunters, embodying the struggle between benevolent creatures and human threats.

Guardian Figures: The Kingfisher, Turtle, and Lion act as protectors, each using their unique abilities to safeguard the hawk family, highlighting the importance of guardianship and support in times of danger.

Community and Isolation: The hawk family’s initial isolation prompts them to seek friendships, demonstrating how forming a supportive community can provide security and assistance when facing external threats.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

A family of Hawks lived on an island in a lake not far from the great forest. On the northern shore of this lake lived a Lion, King of Beasts. On the eastern shore lived a Kingfisher. On the southern shore of the lake lived a Turtle.

“Have you many friends near here?” the Mother Hawk asked the Father Hawk.

“No, not one in this part of the forest,” he said.

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“You must find some friends. We must have some one who can help us if ever we are in danger, or in trouble,” said the Mother Hawk.

“With whom shall I make friends?” asked the Father Hawk.

“With the Kingfisher, who lives on the eastern shore, and with the Lion on the north,” said the Mother Hawk, “and with the Turtle who lives on the southern shore of this lake.”

The Father Hawk did so.

One day men hunted in the great forest from morning until night, but found nothing. Not wishing to go home empty-handed, they went to the island to see what they could find there.

“Let us stay here to-night,” they said, “and see what we can find in the morning.”

So they made beds of leaves for themselves and lay down to sleep. They had made their beds under the tree in which the Hawks had their nest.

But the hunters could not go to sleep because they were bothered by the flies and mosquitoes. At last the hunters got up and made a fire on the shore of the lake, so that the smoke would drive away the flies and mosquitoes. The smoke awoke the birds, and the young ones cried out.

“Did you hear that?” said one of the hunters. “That was the cry of birds! They will do very well for our breakfast. There are young ones in that nest.” And the hunters put more wood on the fire, and made it blaze up.

Then the Mother bird said to the Father: “These men are planning to eat our young ones. We must ask our friends to save us. Go to the Kingfisher and tell him what danger we are in.”

The Father Hawk flew with all speed to the Kingfisher’s nest and woke him with his cry.

“Why have you come?” asked the Kingfisher.

Then the Father Hawk told the Kingfisher what the hunters planned to do.

“Fear not,” said the Kingfisher. “I will help you. Go back quickly and comfort my friend your mate, and say that I am coming.”

So the Father Hawk flew back to his nest, and the Kingfisher flew to the island and went into the lake near the place where the fire was burning.

While the Father Hawk was away, one of the hunters had climbed up into the tree. Just as he neared the nest, the Kingfisher, beating the water with his wings, sprinkled water on the fire and put it out.

Down came the hunter to make another fire. When it was burning well he climbed the tree again. Once more the Kingfisher put it out. As often as a fire was made, the Kingfisher put it out. Midnight came and the Kingfisher was now very tired.

The Mother Hawk noticed this and said to her mate: “The Kingfisher is tired out. Go and ask the Turtle to help us so that the Kingfisher may have a rest.”

The Father Hawk flew down and said, “Rest awhile, Friend Kingfisher; I will go and get the Turtle.”

So the Father Hawk flew to the southern shore and wakened the Turtle.

“What is your errand, Friend?” asked the Turtle.

“Danger has come to us,” said the Father Hawk, and he told the Turtle about the hunters. “The Kingfisher has been working for hours, and now he is very tired. That is why I have come to you.”

The Turtle said, “I will help you at once.”

Then the Turtle went to the island where the Hawks lived. He dived into the water, collected some mud, and put out the fire with it. Then he lay still.

The hunters cried: “Why should we bother to get the young Hawks? Let us kill this Turtle. He will make a fine breakfast for all of us. We must be careful or he will bite us. Let us throw a net over him and turn him over.”

They had no nets with them, so they took some vines, and tore their clothes into strings and made a net.

But when they had put the net all over the Turtle, they could not roll him over. Instead, the Turtle suddenly dived down into the deep water. The men were so eager to get him that they did not let go of the net, so down they went into the water. As they came out they said: “Half the night a Kingfisher kept putting out our fires. Now we have torn our clothes and got all wet trying to get this Turtle. We will build another fire, and at sunrise we will eat those young Hawks.” And they began to build another fire.

The Mother Hawk heard them, and said to her mate: “Sooner or later these men will get our young. Do go and tell our friend the Lion.”

At once the Father Hawk flew to the Lion.

“Why do you come at this hour of the night?” asked the Lion.

The Hawk told him the whole story.

The Lion said: “I will come at once. You go back and comfort your mate and the young ones.” Soon the Lion came roaring.

When the hunters heard the Lion’s roar they cried, “Now we shall all be killed.” And away they ran as fast as they could go.

When the Lion came to the foot of the tree, not one of the hunters was to be seen. Then the Kingfisher and the Turtle came up, and the Hawks said: “You have saved us. Friends in need are friends indeed.”

How the Monkey Saved His Troop

A mango tree grew by a river, offering fruit to monkeys and fishermen alike. When a king discovered its delicious mangoes, he camped beneath it. That night, the monkeys, threatened by archers, were saved by their chief, who created a bridge with his body for them to escape. Witnessing this act of leadership and sacrifice, the king vowed to care for the heroic monkey.

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

► Themes of the story

Sacrifice: The monkey chief sacrifices his own safety to save his troop, demonstrating selflessness and bravery.

Moral Lessons: The story teaches the values of altruism, courage, and the importance of protecting others.

Good vs. Evil: The narrative showcases the struggle between the vulnerable monkeys and their pursuers, emphasizing resilience and ingenuity in the face of danger.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

A mango-tree grew on the bank of a great river. The fruit fell from some of the branches of this tree into the river, and from other branches it fell on the ground. Every night a troop of Monkeys gathered the fruit that lay on the ground and climbed up into the tree to get the mangoes, which were like large, juicy peaches.

One day the king of the country stood on the bank of this same river, but many miles below where the mango-tree grew. The king was watching the fishermen with their nets.

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As they drew in their nets, the fishermen found not only fishes but a strange fruit. They went to the king with the strange fruit. “What is this?” asked the king. “We do not know, O King,” they said.

“Call the foresters,” said the king, “They will know what it is.”

So they called the foresters and they said that it was a mango.

“Is it good to eat?” asked the king.

The foresters said it was very good. So the king cut the mango and giving some to the princes, he ate some of it himself. He liked it very much, and they all liked it.

Then the king said to the foresters, “Where does the mango-tree grow?”

The foresters told him that it grew on the river bank many miles farther up the river.

“Let us go and see the tree and get some mangoes,” said the king.

So he had many rafts joined together, and they went up the river until they came to the place where the mango-tree grew.

The foresters said, “O King, this is the mango-tree.”

“We will land here,” said the king, and they did so. The king and all the men with him gathered the mangoes that lay on the ground under the tree. They all liked them so well that the king said, “Let us stay here to-night, and gather more fruit in the morning.” So they had their supper under the trees, and then lay down to sleep.

When all was quiet, the Chief of the Monkeys came with his troop. All the mangoes on the ground had been eaten, so the monkeys jumped from branch to branch, picking and eating mangoes, and chattering to one another. They made so much noise that they woke up the king. He called his archers saying: “Stand under the mango-tree and shoot the Monkeys as they come down to the ground to get away. Then in the morning we shall have Monkey’s flesh as well as mangoes to eat.”

The Monkeys saw the archers standing around with their arrows ready to shoot. Fearing death, the Monkeys ran to their Chief, saying: “O Chief, the archers stand around the tree ready to shoot us! What shall we do?” They shook with fear.

The Chief said: “Do not fear; I will save you. Stay where you are until I call you.”

The Monkeys were comforted, for he had always helped them whenever they had needed help.

Then the Chief of the Monkeys ran out on the branch of the mango-tree that hung out over the river. The long branches of the tree across the river did not quite meet the branch he stood on. The Chief said to himself: “If the Monkeys try to jump across from this tree to that, some of them will fall into the water and drown. I must save them, but how am I to do it? I know what I shall do. I shall make a bridge of my back.”

So the Chief reached across and took hold of the longest branch of the tree across the river. He called, “Come, Monkeys; run out on this branch, step on my back, and then run along the branch of the other tree.”

The Monkeys did as the Chief told them to do. They ran along the branch, stepped on his back, then ran along the branch of the other tree. They swung themselves down to the ground, and away they went back to their home.

The king saw all that was done by the Chief and his troop. “That big Monkey,” said the king to the archers, “saved the whole troop. I will see to it that he is taken care of the rest of his life.” And the king kept his promise.