The bear and the man

A man suspects a bear is pulling on his canoe’s gunwale and discovers he’s correct. The bear invites him to find a creek abundant with fish, but their journey extends into autumn without success. They build a shelter for winter, with the bear offering sustenance to the man. In spring, the man’s people find them and kill the bear. The man mourns his companion’s death, attributing his tears to smoke when questioned.

Source:
Chipewyan Tales
by Robert Harry Lowie
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 3
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Sacrifice: The bear sacrifices itself to ensure the man’s survival and reunion with his people.

Transformation through Love: The bond between the man and the bear leads to personal growth and a deep sense of loss upon the bear’s death.

Community and Isolation: The man experiences isolation during his time with the bear and later reintegration into his community, highlighting the contrasts between solitude and belonging.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Chipewyan Lore

Learn more about the Chipewyan people

Once a man was cutting out the gunwale of his canoe in the brush. He carried it homewards, one end on his shoulder, the other trailing on the ground. From time to time it seemed to get heavier, and he said to himself, “I am sure, a bear is pulling at the wood.” He turned around, and saw it was really a bear. The Bear said, “Do you hear the noise of the creek near by?” The man said, “Yes.” “There are lots of fish there, let us go thither.” They started off. The bear bade him leave his wood behind, and he did so. They walked on and on for many days, and by autumn they had not yet reached the creek. Then the Bear said, “Let us make a house.” He dug a hole in the ground, and told his companion to get grass to stop up the entrance. They went inside, and the boy was told to sit farthest from the door.

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“If you get thirsty,” said the Bear, [said to be a male by the narrator] “you may suck me, and if you get hungry, you can do the same. Thus you will be able to live with me all winter.”

They lived together in the cave. Towards spring, the Bear said, “Some of your friends are thinking of you and will soon be thinking of me.” When the snow began to melt he said, “Perhaps tomorrow your people will be here. Make a mark with your hand outside the cave, so they’ll know that you are here and won’t shoot inside.” Next day they heard a noise above, and snow began to fall down the air-hole. The Chipewyan detected the mark of the boy’s hand and said, “Surely some person is inside.” The Bear said to the boy, “Tell them there is a bear-man here. If they kill me, you may eat my flesh, but not my entrails, though your friends may.” The boy went out, and the people shot the bear, made a big fire, roasted him and feasted on him. The boy went on the opposite side of the fire, where it was smoky, and began to cry on account of his friend’s death. When they asked him why he cried he said it was on account of the smoke.

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Ebedaholtihe

The Chipewyan and Cree tribes clashed over fishing rights, leading to a battle that left only one survivor from each side. The two men attempted to fish together using their own muscles as hook and line. Later, the Cree warned of a dangerous individual named Ebedaholtihe. When the Cree tried to burn the Chipewyan survivor, he summoned otters that attacked and killed his assailants. Subsequently, he married a Cree woman and integrated into their community.

Source:
Chipewyan Texts
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 1
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Authority: The protagonist challenges and ultimately overcomes Ebedaholtihe, a figure of power among the Cree.

Community and Isolation: The narrative explores themes of belonging and estrangement, as the protagonist transitions from being an enemy to becoming part of the Cree community.

Transformation through Love: The protagonist’s marriage into the Cree tribe signifies a personal and social transformation, fostering unity between former adversaries.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Chipewyan Lore

Learn more about the Chipewyan people

Once the Chipewyan and the Cree both came to the same place to fish. It was snowing and blowing, so they could not see anything. Soon one man came where another was sitting by his line. “You are the only one who has caught any fish,” he said. When the man looked back at him, he saw it was a Cree to whom he had spoken. Then he killed him with a spear and told his friends. Immediately, the Cree and the Chipweyan came together. There were many of them and they continued fighting each other until only two men were alive; one Chipewyan and one Cree. When these two had tried in vain to kill each other, they walked together to the lake. The Cree proposed that they should sit there and fish. “I have no hook,” said the Chipewyan. The Cree took the larger muscle from his arm and the Chipewyan the small muscle.

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They fished with these for hook and line. After a while, the Cree went to look at the hook. “I did not kill anything,” he told the Chipewyan when he returned. “You must have gone to it too soon. If I had gone, there would have been something.” “Will you go and look at it,” said the Cree. When he came to the hook, he caught two trout.

After a short time, many Cree came to the lake. The Cree man then told the Chipewyan that there was one dangerous Cree named, Ebedaholtihe. When they came up to them, one said to the Cree, “Many young men came here with you, I suppose that one sitting with you is one of your relatives.” “He is a dangerous man whom I have tried in vain to kill,” replied the Cree. “Do not bother him; he will make trouble for you.” Ebedaholtihe, said, “Fire is not disturbed by songs. Pile up a lot of wood for him.” Then they built a big fire and began to push the Chipewyan toward it. As he began to burn, he said to himself, “I wish otters would come here.” Soon otters came. When those who were trying to burn him saw the otters running toward him, they ran away. The Chipewyan followed by the otters ran after them. As he came near a man, he would catch up an otter and throw it at him. The otters bit them and they died. He threw two of them at his friend who caught them. When he threw one at Ebedaholtihe, it nearly killed him. When he pushed his head up through the bloody snow, he struck him on the crown of his head. He gave one of the otters to his friend. “Now, you see, I told you he was a dangerous man,” said the young Cree.

After that, the Chipewyan went to live with the Cree. When a tipi had been put up, the Cree called to him, “Come here.” When the Chipewyan was near he called to him to come in, and made a place for him on the opposite side of the fire. The Cree had two wives one sitting on either side of him. He picked up the one sitting near the door and threw her across the fire to the Chipewyan who caught her and threw her back. Then he took the wife sitting beyond the fire and threw her to him but he threw her back. He threw again the one sitting next to the door. She caught the Chipewyan about the neck and he married her. After that, he lived with the Cree.

He lived with the Cree a long time after that. He had children which were growing up. One time when he was away hunting he saw tracks of some people and followed them until he came where they were living. He found two of his sisters gathering firewood. He went with them to the village. One of his moccasins was torn and one of his sisters sewed it up for him. Taking a sack of red paint, he started home. When he came back to his tipi, his wife noticed that the moccasin had been mended. Her husband asked what she was thinking about. The wife, without replying, hung up his moccasins.

He went over there again and told the people what had happened. They talked it over and said they would come and kill them. The Chipewyan who was living with the Cree told them not to come near his tipi which they would recognize since it would be of untanned skins. When he came home he told his wife that his head was aching and asked her to make a tipi for him of untanned skin and pitch it to one side in which he might lie. She made a tipi for him and he went into it with all his family. He told his wife not to let the child go out of doors. In the night, he heard the Chipewyan coming. He went out immediately and came to his friend. “I will fight you again,” he said. “This time I will not think about living. Do what you intend to, spear me here.” “Put your spear down near by,” he said. Several of the Chipewyan’s relatives were killed but they killed all the Cree who were living there. The son of the Chipewyan had gone out and also been killed; but his wife and the remainder of his family were alive. The Chipewyan was about to kill some of his own people because of it but they gave him a young man of the same age in the place of his son who had been killed. Then he was satisfied and went with the Chipewyan and afterward lived with them.

The dead basket-maker

A widower cherished his late wife’s unfinished basket, keeping it above his bed as a symbol of grief. After remarrying, the basket mysteriously fell onto his head during a playful moment with his new wife. Despite efforts to remove it, the basket spoke, reproaching him. Freed just in time, he burned it, severing its haunting connection to his sorrow and guilt.

Source:
Tlingit Myths and Texts
by John R. Swanton
[Smithsonian Institution]
Bureau of American Ethnology
Bulletin 39
Washington, 1909

► Themes of the story

Ancestral Spirits: The deceased wife’s unfinished basket embodies her lingering presence, influencing events from beyond the grave.

Forbidden Knowledge: The husband’s attachment to the basket and his subsequent remarriage lead to unforeseen consequences, suggesting that some remnants of the past are best left undisturbed.

Transformation through Love: The husband’s journey from mourning to remarriage, and the supernatural intervention, highlight the complexities of moving forward while honoring past relationships.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tlingit Lore

Learn more about the Tlingit people

Myth recorded in English at Wrangell, Alaska, in January-April 1904

A woman at Klawak was just finishing a basket when she died. She had not yet cut off the tops. Then her husband took the basket and put it up under the roof over his bed. He thought a great deal of it because it was his wife’s last work. Sometimes he would take it down, press it against his heart and weep as he held it there. He wept all the time. After this man had been a widower a long time he married again. One evening, when he was sitting on the bed playing with his new wife, the basket fell right over his head. He tried to pull it off, and his wife laughed, not knowing why it had been up there. When he was unable to pull it away his wife also tried, but it stuck tight around his neck. He became frightened and worked very hard at it. Suddenly the basket said to him, “Yes, pull me off of your head. Why don’t you press me against your heart again?” it last if they had not cut the strings the basket would have choked him to death. Then he put it farther back and in the morning threw it into the fire.

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The man fed from the sky

Datga’s, a chief’s nephew, helped his starving village through mysterious nightly blessings of food from the smoke hole, filling empty boxes with salmon, grease, berries, and venison. Sharing generously, he saved the villagers and traded food for wealth. His grateful uncle offered him a wife as a reward. Datga’s chose the kind younger wife, becoming wealthy and beloved while honoring his uncle’s name.

Source:
Tlingit Myths and Texts
by John R. Swanton
[Smithsonian Institution]
Bureau of American Ethnology
Bulletin 39
Washington, 1909

► Themes of the story

Divine Intervention: The mysterious nightly blessings of food descending through the smoke hole suggest a supernatural force aiding Datga’s and his village.

Sacrifice: Datga’s selflessly shares the miraculous food with his starving villagers, prioritizing their well-being over personal gain.

Transformation through Love: His generous actions lead to a transformation in his status and relationships, culminating in marriage and increased wealth, reflecting how compassion and kindness can lead to personal growth and societal change.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tlingit Lore

Learn more about the Tlingit people

Myth recorded in English at Wrangell, Alaska, in January-April 1904

Datga’s, the nephew of a chief at Chilkoot, used to lie all the time bundled up in a corner made by the retaining timbers. When everybody else was in bed he would rise and go to the fire. Then he would gather the coals into a heap in order to warm his blanket over them. The people of that town were starving, so Datga’s would say, as he held his blanket over the coals, “Would that a piece of dried salmon fell upon this from the smoke hole.” He did this every night.

One time, as he was standing over the fire without holding his blanket out, some one called to him, “Datga’s, stretch out your blanket once more.” So he stretched it out and held it there for sometime thinking, “Who is that calling me?” By and by he heard the voice again, “Datga’s, stretch it out farther.”

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So, though he could not see who was speaking, he stretched it far out. Then half of a salmon fell upon his blanket. He took this, cut it into small pieces, and distributed them among a number of empty boxes that were in the house. At once all of those boxes were full of salmon.

The uncle of Datga’s had two wives, the younger of whom was very good to him. Although they had to be sparing with their food, when they were eating salmon she always put a little piece aside for him. The next evening, after he had eaten his morsel of food and was lying down, he was called once more by the voice, “Stretch your blanket out again.” He ran quickly to the smoke hole and spread out his blanket under it, but nothing came down, so he said, “I think I will wish for something. I wish that some grease would come down to eat with the salmon.” And suddenly a sack of grease fell upon his blanket, knocked it away, and dropped upon the fireplace. He ran with this to the empty grease boxes and put a spoonful in each, upon which all were immediately filled with grease. Once more the voice called him, “Datga’s, stretch your blanket out again.” He did so, wishing for a sack of berries, and an animal stomach filled with them dropped down at once. This time he held his blanket very firmly so that it would not be carried out of his fingers. He put a spoonful of berries into each empty berry box, and they were all filled.

After this he sat down thinking that he would not be summoned again, but once more the voice came, this time very loudly, “Datga’s, stretch out your blanket.” So he stretched it out, and there came down upon it a sack of cranberries preserved in grease. He put a spoonful into each empty box as before and filled them.

Again came the voice, “Datga’s, stretch out your blanket.” Then there came down a piece of venison dried with the fat on. When he had cut it into many small pieces and distributed these among the boxes they were at once filled. It was now very late, but the voice called him once more, “Datga’s, stretch out your blanket again.” Then there came down a cake of dried soapberries which he broke into little pieces, distributed among the boxes and made those full also.

Next morning the chief’s house was crowded with hungry people begging for food, and all that the chief could give them was a little tobacco to chew. He had nothing even for himself. Seeing this, the people began to go out. Now, Datga’s said to his uncle, “Why are all going out without having had anything to eat?” He was a very quiet fellow who seldom said anything, and, when he broke out in this manner, his uncle became very angry with him. “Why do you want those people to stay?” he said. “What will you give them to eat? If you have so much to say why don’t you feed them?” “Well,” answered Datga’s, “I will feed them.” His uncle looked at him in surprise. He had seen him acting strangely at night, and had wondered what he was doing. While they were talking, the younger wife of his uncle kept looking at him and shaking her head, because she was afraid that her husband would become angry with him.

His uncle thought that the boy was only talking, so he said, “Feed them, then.” The boy said, “Call them all in and I will feed them.” Half of the people had already gone out, but some stood listening to him as he talked with his uncle, and one of these who stood near the door called those that had gone out, to return.

When the people were all in, Datga’s went to the place where the salmon used to be packed away, and his uncle thought to himself, “That fellow is going back there to those empty boxes.” When he returned with one of them, however, it looked very heavy, and presently he handed out a salmon to every boy in the room, telling him to roast it at the fire. So his uncle had nothing more to say.

Next Datga’s told some of the boys to get trays, and, after he had filled them, he set them before the people. Telling them to keep quiet, he went back again to the place where the boxes were and called for help. Two more boys went back there and brought forward a box of oil to eat with their salmon.

After they had eaten these things, he called the boys to go back with him again and they brought out a box of venison. His uncle kept very quiet while this was going on, and his younger wife felt very proud. Next Datga’s had them bring out a box of berries (tinx) preserved in grease, which he passed around in large dishes. The chief began to think that his nephew was giving too much at a time of famine, but he could say nothing. Then preserved high-bush cranberries were served to the people in large dishes and finally soapberries, which all the boys stirred.

After this feast everyone left the house, but they soon came back one by one to buy food, for they had plenty of other property. People that were dying of starvation were strengthened by the food he gave them. For one large moose hide he would give two salmon. He asked his uncle’s younger wife to receive the goods that he was getting in exchange. But, after he had obtained a great deal of property more than half of the food was still left.

The chief, his uncle, was quite old at that time, both of his wives being much younger. He felt very well disposed toward his nephew to think that he had been so liberal and had kept up his uncle’s name, so he said to him, “You have done well to me and to my village people. Had it been another young fellow he would have hidden the food, but instead you have brought my village people and myself to life. Now take your choice between my wives. Take whichever you want.”

The young man did not answer at once, but the younger wife knew that he would choose her, because the elder wife hated him. Finally he said, “I will take the young woman, for she has been good to me.” Then his uncle moved to one side and let his nephew take his place. He became exceedingly wealthy, and was very good to the people of his village and to his uncle.

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.

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 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.

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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.

Grannie’s Blackie

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

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

► Themes of the story

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

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

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

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Blackie never did any work.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then he went up to the man for the money.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Ox Who Envied the Pig

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

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

► Themes of the story

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

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

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

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Ox Who Won the Forfeit

A proud man boasted about his Ox’s strength, betting it could pull 100 wagons. When he insulted and whipped the Ox during the challenge, it refused to move, causing him to lose. Later, apologizing and treating the Ox with kindness, he returned. Encouraged, the Ox pulled the wagons successfully, earning praise and repayment. The story highlights the power of respect and compassion in relationships.

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

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The narrative teaches the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. The owner’s initial harshness leads to failure, while subsequent compassion results in success.

Cunning and Deception: The ox’s refusal to move when insulted can be seen as a clever way to teach the owner a lesson about proper treatment, highlighting the consequences of disrespect.

Transformation through Love: The owner’s change in behavior—from cruelty to kindness—demonstrates how positive treatment can lead to favorable outcomes, emphasizing the transformative power of compassion.

► From the same Region or People

South Asia
- India
  - Buddhist Lore

Learn more about Jataka Tales

Long ago a man owned a very strong Ox. The owner was so proud of his Ox, that he boasted to every man he met about how strong his Ox was.

One day the owner went into a village, and said to the men there: “I will pay a forfeit of a thousand pieces of silver if my strong Ox cannot draw a line of one hundred wagons.”

The men laughed, and said: “Very well; bring your Ox, and we will tie a hundred wagons in a line and see your Ox draw them along.”

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So the man brought his Ox into the village. A crowd gathered to see the sight. The hundred carts were in line, and the strong Ox was yoked to the first wagon.

Then the owner whipped his Ox, and said: “Get up, you wretch! Get along, you rascal!”

But the Ox had never been talked to in that way, and he stood still. Neither the blows nor the hard names could make him move.

At last the poor man paid his forfeit, and went sadly home. There he threw himself on his bed and cried: “Why did that strong Ox act so? Many a time he has moved heavier loads easily. Why did he shame me before all those people?”

At last he got up and went about his work. When he went to feed the Ox that night, the Ox turned to him and said: “Why did you whip me to-day? You never whipped me before. Why did you call me ‘wretch’ and ‘rascal’? You never called me hard names before.”

Then the man said: “I will never treat you badly again. I am sorry I whipped you and called you names. I will never do so any more. Forgive me.”

“Very well,” said the Ox. “To-morrow I will go into the village and draw the one hundred carts for you. You have always been a kind master until to-day. To-morrow you shall gain what you lost.”

The next morning the owner fed the Ox well, and hung a garland of flowers about his neck. When they went into the village the men laughed at the man again.

They said: “Did you come back to lose more money?”

“To-day I will pay a forfeit of two thousand pieces of silver if my Ox is not strong enough to pull the one hundred carts,” said the owner.

So again the carts were placed in a line, and the Ox was yoked to the first. A crowd came to watch again. The owner said: “Good Ox, show how strong you are! You fine, fine creature!” And he patted his neck and stroked his sides.

At once the Ox pulled with all his strength. The carts moved on until the last cart stood where the first had been.

Then the crowd shouted, and they paid back the forfeit the man had lost, saying: “Your Ox is the strongest Ox we ever saw.” And the Ox and the man went home, happy.