- I thought it was really interesting that the wise man's original plan did not work out but he still managed to make the best of the situation. Instead of having an easier journey he will have a harder one. However, he will also make all the profit from the trip.
The Elephant Girly-face
- First off, Girly-face is a dumb name for an elephant regardless of the "gentle and kind" justification.
- The fact that Girly-face kills two guys and the king is most concerned about Girly-face and not the people she killed is very interesting and slightly upsetting.
The Banyan Deer
- I thought it was very interesting that the King not only granted the Banyan King Deer's life but the life of all of the deer. I also just want to know how, logistically, the deer were drawing lots to see who would die each day??
The Princes and the Water-Sprite
- This seems like it either draws from the plot of the two major epics I've read and/ or influences their plots. A queen influencing her husband to put the wrong sun on the throne, combined with brother in exile is similar to the Ramayana. A water spirit messing with princes is similar to the story of the Pandeva brothers.
The King's White Elephant
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| Elephant pixabay.com |
- I really liked this story, mostly because until the last sentence I was afraid that the King was going to kill the white elephant and was very relieved when that did not happen.
- It also sent a very clear lesson about compassion and loyalty. The older elephant was shown compassion by the carpenters and repaid then with a loyalty he passed onto his son. That loyalty was rewarded by the carpenters releasing the younger elephant to go have a better life with the King.
The Ox Who Never Envied the Pig
- This was a slightly morbid story. I did like the underlying message that hard work leads to a long life while overindulgence can be deadly.
Grannie's Blackie
- I think it is interesting that the animals in these story's act almost like children to their owners. Blackie seems very similar to a teenage boy.
The Crab and the Crane
- I remember this story from the first sets of Jataka's from the beginning of the year. I still really like it also the crab decapitating the crane is slightly gruesome for what I assume is a children's story.
Why the Owl Is Not Kings of the Birds
- The crow flying around screaming he doesn't like how the Owl looks and that is why the Owl shouldn't be king doesn't even seem that far fetched given politics today.
Bibliography
- Babbitt. Jataka Tales. Reading Guide B
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