Notes for Jataka Tales Part A
The Monkey and The Crocodile
I remember reading this one early on in the semester. The monkey fools to crocodile into thinking that his heart is actually a fruit hanging from a tree across the river. The crocodile gives the monkey a ride across, not realizing he has been tricked.
How the Turtle Saved His Own Life
I also remember reading this one earlier. A king had a pond made for his sons to play in. They loved the fish, but when they saw a turtle, they were scared of it thinking it was a monster or a demon. The king ordered his men to catch the turtle and bring it to him. They then discuss potential ideas for how to kill the turtle. One man, fearing water, suggests throwing the turtle into the flowing river that goes over rocks and into the ocean. The turtle, being smart, explains that this option scares him greatly and that he doesn't deserve such a fate. The King decides that this is the best option and then they throw the turtle in. The turtle survived and laughed at them.
The Merchant of Seri
There was a merchant who sold brass and tinware and he traveled around with another man who did the same. The other man was very greedy. The greedy man came upon a very poor house that only had a gold bowl (which they didn't realize was very expensive). He threw the bowl aside and left. The other merchant came to the house and was offered the bowl. He, realizing its worth, gave everything he had except for 8 pennies to the poor family for it. He then paid a boat to take him across the river. The other man came back to the house trying to get the bowl for very cheap, but he soon realized the other merchant had bought it.
Chinese Golden Bowl Wikipedia Commons
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