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.

► Continue reading…

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.

Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page

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.

► Continue reading…

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.

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.

► Continue reading…

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”

► Continue reading…

“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 Red-Bud Tree

Four young princes, curious about the mysterious Red-Bud Tree, visited it during different seasons. The eldest saw it bare in early spring, the second with red buds, the third covered in green leaves, and the youngest adorned with bean-pods. They argued over its appearance, but the king explained they had all seen the same tree, illustrating how perspectives change with time.

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

► Themes of the story

Transformation: The tree undergoes physical changes throughout the seasons—bare branches, red buds, green leaves, and bean pods—symbolizing the natural cycles of transformation.

Moral Lessons: The princes learn that their individual observations are part of a larger, complete picture, teaching them about the value of perspective and the importance of considering different viewpoints before drawing conclusions.

Illusion vs. Reality: Each prince’s perception of the tree is limited to a single season, leading them to different conclusions about its true nature. This highlights the theme of distinguishing between appearance and the complete reality, emphasizing that understanding the full truth requires seeing beyond initial impressions.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time four young princes heard a story about a certain wonderful tree, called the Red-Bud Tree. No one of them had ever seen a Red-Bud Tree, and each prince wished to be the first to see one. So the eldest prince asked the driver of the king’s chariot to take him deep into the woods where this tree grew.

It was still very early in the spring and the tree had no leaves, nor buds. It was black and bare like a dead tree. The prince could not understand why this was called a Red-Bud Tree, but he asked no questions.

► Continue reading…

Later in the spring, the next son went with the driver of the king’s chariot to see the Red-Bud Tree. At this time it was covered with red buds.

The tree was all covered with green leaves when the third son went into the woods a little later to see it. He asked no questions about it, but he could see no reason for calling it the Red-Bud Tree.

Some time after this the youngest prince begged to be taken to see the Red-Bud Tree. By this time it was covered with little bean-pods.

When he came back from the woods he ran into the garden where his brothers were playing, crying, “I have seen the Red-Bud Tree.”

“So have I,” said the eldest prince. “It did not look like much of a tree to me,” said he; “it looked like a dead tree. It was black and bare.”

“What makes you say that?” said the second son. “The tree has hundreds of beautiful red buds. This is why it is called the Red-Bud Tree.”

The third prince said: “Red buds, did you say? Why do you say it has red buds? It is covered with green leaves.”

The prince who had seen the tree last laughed at his brothers, saying: “I have just seen that tree, and it is not like a dead tree. It has neither red buds nor green leaves on it. It is covered with little bean-pods.”

The king heard them and waited until they stopped talking. Then he said: “My sons, you have all four seen the same tree, but each of you saw it at a different time of the year.”

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

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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.

► Continue reading…

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

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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.

► Continue reading…

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.

► Continue reading…

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 Golden Goose

A kind Golden Goose gave its golden feathers to a poor woman and her daughters, helping them live comfortably. Despite the Goose’s generosity, the greedy mother plucked all its feathers at once, ignoring her daughters’ objections. However, the feathers turned worthless, and the Goose grew plain white feathers. Betrayed, it flew away forever, leaving the family to face their greed-fueled loss.

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

► Themes of the story

Sacrifice: The goose selflessly offers its golden feathers to help the poor family.

Moral Lessons: The story teaches the dangers of greed and the importance of gratitude and patience.

Loss and Renewal: The family’s greed causes them to lose the goose’s gifts, symbolizing the destruction of a blessing due to their actions.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Once upon a time there was a Goose who had beautiful golden feathers. Not far away from this Goose lived a poor, a very poor woman, who had two daughters.

The Goose saw that they had a hard time to get along and said he to himself:”If I give them one after another of my golden feathers, the mother can sell them, and with the money they bring she and her daughters can then live in comfort.”

So away the Goose flew to the poor woman’s house.

► Continue reading…

Seeing the Goose, the woman said: “Why do you come here? We have nothing to give you.”

“But I have something to give you,” said the Goose. “I will give my feathers, one by one, and you can sell them for enough so that you and your daughters can live in comfort.”

So saying the Goose gave her one of his feathers, and then flew away. From time to time he came back, each time leaving another feather.

The mother and her daughters sold the beautiful feathers for enough money to keep them in comfort. But one day the mother said to her daughters: “Let us not trust this Goose. Some day he may fly away and never come back. Then we should be poor again. Let us get all of his feathers the very next time he comes.”

The daughters said: “This will hurt the Goose. We will not do such a thing.”

But the mother was greedy. The next time the Golden Goose came she took hold of him with both hands, and pulled out every one of his feathers.

Now the Golden Goose has strange feathers. If his feathers are plucked out against his wish, they no longer remain golden but turn white and are of no more value than chicken-feathers. The new ones that come in are not golden, but plain white. As time went on his feathers grew again, and then he flew away to his home and never came back again.

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.

► Continue reading…

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.