Reading Notes: Babbit's Jataka Tales Part A

The Monkey and the Crocodile: I remember this story from one of the earlier assignments. Crocodile was trying to get monkeys heart. Monkey wants to go across the water to the island with fruits. He told the monkey he was going to drown him to get it, and the monkey being smarter told him he had to get it from the tree. The crocodile took the monkey back to safety unknowingly, but the the monkey taunts the crocodile and tells him to climb the tree. The monkey moved to get away form the crocodile, but the crocodile follows. He can get to the island by hoping to the rock and then to the island. So he went, the crocodile waited on the rock for him to return home. The monkey noticed this and tricked the crocodile into talking. He made the crocodile think he won, and told him to open his mouth wide, but then jumped on his head and to safety.

How the Turtle saved his own life: This one is also familiar. King makes a lake for princes to play. They see the turtle and think it's a demon. King orders the turtle be brought to him, boys see it and run. Then there was a debate on how to kill it, but an old man suggested to throw him in the lake (being afraid of the water). The turtle being smart, acted terrified. They agreed to do that, and the turtle went home.

The Merchant of Seri: Merchant sells tinware and brass. Travels with another doing the same. They divided towns, the other was greedy, buy cheap sell high. Woman unknowingly has a gold bowl. She kept because her husband would eat from it. Greedy wanted it for cheap so he acted like it wasn't worth anything. They approached other merchant who told them the truth. He gave them everything in exchange, then went across the river and lived decently, while greedy was upset.

The turtle who couldn't stop talking: Turtle in a pond befriends geese who ask him to go home with them. He declines since he can't fly. They offer to take him, but he can't talk. His mouth will be wrapped around a stick while they carry it. Kids started pointing it out and making fun, he opens his mouth to respond and falls to his death. Moral: He couldn't keep his mouth shut, had to talk=lost his life.

The Ox who won the forfeit: man prided himself on his strong ox. Made a bet his ox could pull 1000 carts. They took the bet and yoked him to the line of carts. The owner yelled and whipped the ox, but the ox wouldn't move. He went home upset. Later the ox asked why he acted that way. The man apologized and the ox offered to go back and pull the carts. They went, the man praised him and he moved all the carts and they went home happy.

The Sandy road: Merchant goes through desert with cart to get to country on the other side. Had to travel by night so the sand would be cooler. He also took water, rice and firewood to cook said rice. Group rode by night and camped by day. They put an awning over the carts and they and oxen slept underneath. the pilot (who led them) eventually said one more day and they should be at their destination. Merchant said they should use the rest of the water on the fire then before leaving. The pilot went to the head of the line, but fell asleep. The ended up in the same place as the night before but without water. Merchant decides to go find some. He walked until he found some grass, then ordered tools to dig. The hit rock but hear water underneath. The broke through. Hole filled with water. They bathed/drank/cooked, marked it. And the next day reached their destination.

The quarrel of the quails: Group of quails lived together in a forest, the wisest one was the leader. Man lived near and sold quail. He studied the leaders call and replicated it. The quail ran to him then he caught and sold them. Wise leader advised to put their head through the neat and fly to the thorn bush. They could leave the net and be free. This works for days. The mans wife gets mad and he said he will get them when the quail quarrel. It happened when one accidentally stepped on another, and everyone took sides. Man threw his net. They wouldn't make an effort to cooperate to be free so he took them and sold them.

The Measure of rice: Dishonest king has honest valuer. King didn't like it so he hired someone else and sent the honest valuer away. New valuer made up prices and people had to agree. Someone sold 500 horses for a measure of rice. The man went to the honest valuer and asked advice. He advised to give a gift and ask if 500 horses are worth a measure of rice, what is a measure of rice worth? Tell him to go to the king and he would also be there. The new valuer said a measure of rice = the whole kingdom. King was ashamed and sent him away.

The foolish timid rabbit: a story I am quite familiar with already. See Cats hate water on my portfolio. :)

(Image from Flickr)

bibliography:

Gibbs, Laura. “Reading Guide: Babbitt. Jataka Tales.” Reading Guide: Babbitt. Jataka Tales., 1 Jan. 1970, http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html.