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.”

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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 Otters and the Wolf

Two Otters catch a large fish but argue over dividing it. A cunning Wolf overhears and offers to help. He gives one Otter the tail, the other the head, and keeps the best part—the middle—for himself. The Otters realize too late they’ve been outwitted. The Wolf proudly brings the fish home to his mate, claiming it as his reward for resolving their dispute.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The wolf uses deceit to exploit the otters’ dispute, securing the best portion of the fish for himself.

Moral Lessons: The tale teaches the consequences of greed and the importance of cooperation, highlighting how internal conflicts can lead to exploitation by outsiders.

Trickster: The wolf embodies the trickster archetype, using cleverness to outsmart the otters and achieve his goal.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

One day a Wolf said to her mate, “A longing has come upon me to eat fresh fish.”

“I will go and get some for you,” said he and he went down to the river.

There he saw two Otters standing on the bank looking for fish. Soon one of the Otters saw a great fish, and entering the water with a bound, he caught hold of the tail of the fish.

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But the fish was strong and swam away, dragging the Otter after him. “Come and help me,” the Otter called back to his friend. “This great fish will be enough for both of us!”

So the other Otter went into the water. The two together were able to bring the fish to land. “Let us divide the fish into two parts.”

“I want the half with the head on,” said one.

“You cannot have that half. That is mine,” said the other. “You take the tail.”

The Wolf heard the Otters and he went up to them.

Seeing the Wolf, the Otters said: “Lord of the gray-grass color, this fish was caught by both of us together. We cannot agree about dividing him. Will you divide him for us?”

The Wolf cut off the tail and gave it to one, giving the head to the other. He took the large middle part for himself, saying to them, “You can eat the head and the tail without quarreling.” And away he ran with the body of the fish. The Otters stood and looked at each other. They had nothing to say, but each thought to himself that the Wolf had run off with the best of the fish.

The Wolf was pleased and said to himself, as he ran toward home, “Now I have fresh fish for my mate.”

His mate, seeing him coming, came to meet him, saying: “How did you get fish? You live on land, not in the water.”

Then he told her of the quarrel of the Otters. “I took the fish as pay for settling their quarrel,” said he.

The Woodpecker and the Lion

A Lion, troubled by a bone stuck in his throat, sought help from a cautious Woodpecker. The bird skillfully removed the bone, saving the Lion’s life. However, the Lion showed no gratitude, later dismissing the Woodpecker’s request for a favor by claiming sparing the bird earlier was enough. Disappointed, the Woodpecker chose to avoid the ungrateful Lion thereafter.

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

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The woodpecker uses cleverness to safely remove the bone from the lion’s throat, demonstrating wit in a dangerous situation.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson about ingratitude and the importance of reciprocating kindness, highlighting the consequences of selfishness.

Conflict with Authority: The woodpecker’s interaction with the powerful lion reflects the dynamics of challenging or dealing with those in positions of power, especially when they act unjustly.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

One day while a Lion was eating his dinner a bone stuck in his throat. It hurt so that he could not finish his dinner. He walked up and down, up and down, roaring with pain.

A Woodpecker lit on a branch of a tree near-by, and hearing the Lion, she said, “Friend, what ails you?” The Lion told the Woodpecker what the matter was, and the Woodpecker said: “I would take the bone out of your throat, friend, but I do not dare to put my head into your mouth, for fear I might never get it out again. I am afraid you might eat me”

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“O Woodpecker, do not be afraid,” the Lion said. “I will not eat you. Save my life if you can!”

“I will see what I can do for you,” said the Woodpecker. “Open your mouth wide.” The Lion did as he was told, but the Woodpecker said to himself: “Who knows what this Lion will do? I think I will be careful.”

So the Woodpecker put a stick between the Lion’s upper and lower jaws so that he could not shut his mouth.

Then the Woodpecker hopped into the Lion’s mouth and hit the end of the bone with his beak. The second time he hit it, the bone fell out.

The Woodpecker hopped out of the Lion’s mouth, and hit the stick so that it too fell out. Then the Lion could shut his mouth.

At once the Lion felt very much better, but not one word of thanks did he say to the Woodpecker.

One day later in the summer, the Woodpecker said to the Lion, “I want you to do something for me.”

“Do something for you?” said the Lion. “You mean you want me to do something more for you. I have already done a great deal for you. You cannot expect me to do anything more for you. Do not forget that once I had you in my mouth, and I let you go. That is all that you can ever expect me to do for you.” The Woodpecker said no more, but he kept away from the Lion from that day on.

The Penny-Wise Monkey

A king planning to conquer a distant land observes a monkey drop all its peas to chase a single lost one. Realizing the futility of greed, the king reflects on the monkey’s mistake and decides to abandon his conquest. Choosing contentment over ambition, he and his army return home, valuing what they already possess over risking it for uncertain gains.

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

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The monkey’s loss due to greed teaches the value of contentment and the pitfalls of unnecessary ambition.

Cunning and Deception: The monkey’s attempt to gather more peas reflects a cunning nature, though it ultimately leads to his downfall.

Transformation through Love: The king’s observation of the monkey leads to a transformation in his own perspective, choosing peace over conquest out of a newfound appreciation for his own kingdom.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

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Once upon a time the king of a large and rich country gathered together his army to take a faraway little country. The king and his soldiers marched all morning long and then went into camp in the forest.

When they fed the horses they gave them some peas to eat. One of the Monkeys living in the forest saw the peas and jumped down to get some of them. He filled his mouth and hands with them, and up into the tree he went again, and sat down to eat the peas.

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As he sat there eating the peas, one pea fell from his hand to the ground. At once the greedy Monkey dropped all the peas he had in his hands, and ran down to hunt for the lost pea. But he could not find that one pea. He climbed up into his tree again, and sat still looking very glum. “To get more, I threw away what I had,” he said to himself.

The king had watched the Monkey, and he said to himself: “I will not be like this foolish Monkey, who lost much to gain a little. I will go back to my own country and enjoy what I now have.”

So he and his men marched back home.

The Cunning Wolf

A group of townsfolk on a holiday ate all their food by noon. One man decided to hunt by pretending to be dead near a lake to trick animals into approaching. The King of the Wolves, suspicious, tested the man’s ploy and exposed it by pulling his club. The animals escaped, leaving the man empty-handed, bested by the wolf’s cunning.

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

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The man employs deceit by pretending to be dead to lure animals, embodying the trickster archetype.

Cunning and Deception: The narrative centers on the use of cunning and deceit, both by the man and the wolf, highlighting the dynamics of trickery.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a lesson about the consequences of deceit and the value of wisdom, as the man’s trickery is thwarted by the wolf’s intelligence.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

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Once upon a time the people in a certain town went out into the woods for a holiday. They took baskets full of good things to eat. But when noontime came they ate all the meat they had brought with them, not leaving any for supper.

“I will get some fresh meat. We will make a fire here and roast it,” said one of the men.

So taking a club, he went to the lake where the animals came to drink. He lay down, club in hand, pretending to be dead.

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When the animals came down to the lake they saw the man lying there and they watched him for some time.

“That man is playing a trick on us, I believe,” said the King of the Wolves. “The rest of you stay here while I will see whether he is really dead, or whether he is pretending to be dead.”

Then the cunning King of the Wolves crept up to the man and slyly pulled at his club.

At once the man pulled back on his club.

Then the King of the Wolves ran off saying: “If you had been dead, you would not have pulled back on your club when I tried to pull it away. I see your trick. You pretend you are dead so that you may kill one of us for your supper.”

The man jumped up and threw his club at the King of the Wolves. But he missed his aim. He looked for the other animals but there was not one in sight. They had all run away. Then the man went back to his friends, saying: “I tried to get fresh meat by playing a trick on the animals, but the cunning Wolf played a better trick on me, and I could not get one of them.”

The Stupid Monkeys

A king’s gardener, eager to join a city holiday, entrusted a tribe of monkeys to water young trees in the royal garden. Following the gardener’s vague instructions, the monkeys decided to measure root lengths to determine water needs, uprooting all the trees in the process. When the gardener returned, he found the trees dead, illustrating the consequences of misplaced trust and poor planning.

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

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The narrative teaches the importance of proper planning and the consequences of entrusting responsibilities to those unqualified, highlighting the pitfalls of misplaced trust and lack of foresight.

Cunning and Deception: The gardener’s decision to delegate his duties to the monkeys, perhaps underestimating their capabilities, reflects a form of cunning that ultimately backfires, leading to unintended consequences.

Trickster: The monkeys, in their misguided attempt to follow the gardener’s instructions, embody the trickster archetype, causing chaos through their literal interpretation and actions, which leads to the destruction of the young trees.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a king gave a holiday to all the people in one of his cities.

The king’s gardener thought to himself: “All my friends are having a holiday in the city. I could go into the city and enjoy myself with them if I did not have to water the trees here in this garden. I know what I will do. I will get the Monkeys to water the young trees for me.” In those days, a tribe of Monkeys lived in the king’s garden.

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So the gardener went to the Chief of the Monkeys, and said: “You are lucky Monkeys to be living in the king’s garden. You have a fine place to play in. You have the best of food–nuts, fruit, and the young shoots of trees to eat. You have no work at all to do. You can play all day, every day. To-day my friends are having a holiday in the city, and I want to enjoy myself with them. Will you water the young trees so that I can go away?”

“Oh, yes!” said the Chief of the Monkeys. “We shall be glad to do that.”

“Do not forget to water the trees when the sun goes down. See they have plenty of water, but not too much,” said the gardener. Then he showed them where the watering-pots were kept, and went away.

When the sun went down the Monkeys took the watering-pots, and began to water the young trees. “See that each tree has enough water,” said the Chief of the Monkeys.

“How shall we know when each tree has enough?” they asked. The Chief of the Monkeys had no good answer, so he said: “Pull up each young tree and look at the length of its roots. Give a great deal of water to those with long roots, but only a little to those trees that have short roots.”

Then those stupid Monkeys pulled up all the young trees to see which trees had long roots and which had short roots.

When the gardener came back the next day, the poor young trees were all dead.

The Woodpecker, Turtle, and Deer

A Deer, a Woodpecker, and a Turtle share a deep friendship, living harmoniously near a lake. When a hunter traps the Deer, the Woodpecker distracts the hunter while the Turtle gnaws the trap. Despite challenges, the Deer escapes, but the Turtle is captured. The Deer cleverly rescues the Turtle, and all three friends evade the hunter, continuing their lives together in safety and happiness.

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

► Themes of the story

Good vs. Evil: The narrative contrasts the virtuous friendship and cooperation among the Deer, Woodpecker, and Turtle against the hunter’s malicious intent, highlighting the classic struggle between benevolence and malevolence.

Cunning and Deception: The Woodpecker employs clever tactics to delay the hunter, such as flapping her wings in his face, showcasing the use of wit to outsmart adversaries.

Trials and Tribulations: Each character faces significant challenges—the Deer is trapped, the Turtle’s teeth are strained from gnawing the leather, and the Woodpecker must repeatedly confront the hunter. Their perseverance through these trials underscores the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a Deer lived in a forest near a lake. Not far from the same lake, a Woodpecker had a nest in the top of a tree; and in the lake lived a Turtle. The three were friends, and lived together happily.

A hunter, wandering about in the wood, saw the footprints of the Deer near the edge of the lake. “I must trap the Deer, going down into the water,” he said, and setting a strong trap of leather, he went his way.

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Early that night when the Deer went down to drink, he was caught in the trap, and he cried the cry of capture.

At once the Woodpecker flew down from her tree-top, and the Turtle came out of the water to see what could be done.

Said the Woodpecker to the Turtle: “Friend, you have teeth; you gnaw through the leather trap. I will go and see to it that the hunter keeps away. If we both do our best our friend will not lose his life.”

So the Turtle began to gnaw the leather, and the Woodpecker flew to the hunter’s house.

At dawn the hunter came, knife in hand, to the front door of his house.

The Woodpecker, flapping her wings, flew at the hunter and struck him in the face.

The hunter turned back into the house and lay down for a little while. Then he rose up again, and took his knife. He said to himself: “When I went out by the front door, a Bird flew in my face; now I will go out by the back door.” So he did.

The Woodpecker thought: “The hunter went out by the front door before, so now he will leave by the back door.” So the Woodpecker sat in a tree near the back door.

When the hunter came out the bird flew at him again, flapping her wings in the hunter’s face.

Then the hunter turned back and lay down again. When the sun arose, he took his knife, and started out once more.

This time the Woodpecker flew back as fast as she could fly to her friends, crying, “Here comes the hunter!”

By this time the Turtle had gnawed through all the pieces of the trap but one. The leather was so hard that it made his teeth feel as if they would fall out. His mouth was all covered with blood. The Deer heard the Woodpecker, and saw the hunter, knife in hand, coming on. With a strong pull the Deer broke this last piece of the trap, and ran into the woods.

The Woodpecker flew up to her nest in the tree-top.

But the Turtle was so weak he could not get away. He lay where he was. The hunter picked him up and threw him into a bag, tying it to a tree.

The Deer saw that the Turtle was taken, and made up his mind to save his friend’s life. So the Deer let the hunter see him.

The hunter seized his knife and started after the Deer. The Deer, keeping just out of his reach, led the hunter into the forest.

When the Deer saw that they had gone far into the forest he slipped away from the hunter, and swift as the wind, he went by another way to where he had left the Turtle.

But the Turtle was not there. The Deer called, “Turtle, Turtle!”; and the Turtle called out, “Here I am in a bag hanging on this tree.”

Then the Deer lifted the bag with his horns, and throwing it upon the ground, he tore the bag open, and let the Turtle out.

The Woodpecker flew down from her nest, and the Deer said to them: “You two friends saved my life, but if we stay here talking, the hunter will find us, and we may not get away. So do you, Friend Woodpecker, fly away. And you, Friend Turtle, dive into the water. I will hide in the forest.”

The hunter did come back, but neither the Deer, nor the Turtle, nor the Woodpecker was to be seen. He found his torn bag, and picking that up he went back to his home. The three friends lived together all the rest of their lives.

The Tricky Wolf and the Rats

A cunning Wolf deceives a troop of Rats by feigning injury and claiming to live only on air. Gaining their sympathy, he secretly preys on the last Rat in line each day. When the Chief of the Rats suspects foul play, he confronts the Wolf. Outsmarting the predator, the Chief defeats him, ensuring the Rats live peacefully ever after.

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

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The wolf embodies the trickster archetype by deceiving the rats with his false claims and preying on them under the guise of helplessness.

Cunning and Deception: The narrative centers around the wolf’s deceitful tactics to capture the rats and the eventual outsmarting of the wolf by the chief rat.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson about the dangers of misplaced trust and the importance of vigilance against deceit.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time a Big Rat lived in the forest, and many hundreds of other Rats called him their Chief.

A Tricky Wolf saw this troop of Rats, and began to plan how he could catch them. He wanted to eat them, but how was he to get them? At last he thought of a plan.

He went to a corner near the home of the Rats and waited until he saw one of them coming. Then he stood up on his hind legs.

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The Chief of the Rats said to the Wolf, “Wolf, why do you stand on your hind legs?”

“Because I am lame,” said the Tricky Wolf. “It hurts me to stand on my front legs.”

“And why do you keep your mouth open?” asked the Rat.

“I keep my mouth open so that I may drink in all the air I can,” said the Wolf. “I live on air; it is my only food day after day. I can not run or walk, so I stay here. I try not to complain.” When the Rats went away the Wolf lay down.

The Chief of the Rats was sorry for the Wolf, and he went each night and morning with all the other Rats to talk with the Wolf, who seemed so poor, and who did not complain.

Each time as the Rats were leaving, the Wolf caught and ate the last one. Then he wiped his lips, and looked as if nothing had happened.

Each night there were fewer Rats at bedtime. Then they asked the Chief of the Rats what the trouble was. He could not be sure, but he thought the Wolf was to blame.

So the next day the Chief said to the other Rats, “You go first this time and I will go last.”

They did so, and as the Chief of the Rats went by, the Wolf made a spring at him. But the Wolf was not quick enough, and the Chief of the Rats got away.

“So this is the food you eat. Your legs are not so lame as they were. You have played your last trick, Wolf,” said the Chief of the Rats, springing at the Wolf’s throat. He bit the Wolf, so that he died.

And ever after the Rats lived happily in peace and quiet.

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

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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.