Monthly Archives: October 2013
110. THE UNGRATEFUL MAN
In a certain town lived a Brahman whose name was Saama. Every day his wife, chafing under their poverty, would say to him: “Come, Brahman! Lazybones! Stony-Heart! Don’t you see your babies starving, while you hang about, mooning? Go somewhere, no matter where, find some way, any way, to get food, and come back in a hurry.”
At last the Brahman, weary of this refrain, undertook a long journey, and in a few days entered a great forest. While wandering hungry in this forest, he began to hunt for water. And in a certain spot he came upon a well, overgrown with grass. When he looked in, he discovered a tiger, a monkey, a snake, and a man at the bottom. They also saw him.
109. THE TORTOISE AND THE GEESE
Once upon a time, two geese by the names of Sankata and Vikata and a tortoise by the name of Kambugriva lived near a river. They were good friends. Once, due to drought in the region, all the rivers, lakes and ponds went dry. There was not a drop of water to drink for the birds and animals. They began to die of thirst.
The three friends talked among themselves to find a solution to this problem and go out in search of water. But despite their best efforts they could not find water anywhere around.
108. THE TIGER, THE BRAHMAN, AND THE JACKAL
Once upon a time, a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through the bars, and rolled and bit with rage and grief when he failed.
By chance a poor Brahman came by. “Let me out of this cage, oh pious one!” cried the tiger.
“No, my friend,” replied the Brahman mildly, “you would probably eat me if I did.”
“Not at all!” swore the tiger with many oaths; “on the contrary, I should be for ever grateful, and serve you as a slave!”
107. THE THREE FISHES
In a certain pond, there lived three fishes. One day some fishermen were passing by They saw this pond and said to each other, “We have never investigated this particular pond. It’s full of fishes! But since we already have a good catch today, and it’s evening, so let’s go home and come back here tomorrow.”
So the fishermen left. When the first fish heard this, he was dumbfounded as if struck by a thunderbolt, and he called all the fishes together and said to them, “Did you hear what the fishermen said just now? Let’s leave immediately for some other pond. I think the fishermen will return tomorrow morning and then they will start killing all of us. So it’s not wise to stay here a moment longer.”
When the secound fish heard this, he said, “You’re right! Let’s us go somewhere else!”
But the third fish laughed loudly and said, “Oh, I don’t agree with you! Would it be right to give up this pond, that belonged to our forefathers, just because of the talk of fishermen! And in any case, if it’s time for us to die, death will certainly not spare us, wherever we are. So, I won’t come with you. Do as you think best.”
