Illustration from "The Penny-Wise Monkey" by Ellsworth Young (1922).
The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls
Monkeys are almost always portrayed as mischievous. This monkey is no exception.
Dharma, in a way, seems to be stressed in this. The chief of the guards perform his given role well and is praised for it.
The Three Fishes
Home is the safest place to be. Perhaps this tale was meant to keep children from running off. What other stories could have been told to give this lesson?
The Tricky Wolf and the Rats
You should never turn your back on a wolf. What could the rat nobles and rat sages have discussed if their king had been eaten? What lessons would they have derived from this event?
The Woodpecker, Turtle, and Deer
We should help those in need. Doing so while risking harm to one’s self is admirable.
The Golden Goose
Don’t complain when someone acts perfectly charitable towards you. This story is a lot like “The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg”. What other variations could there be on this theme?
The Stupid Monkeys
If you want it done right, do it yourself. This story also relates to Dharma. In not doing his duty to the king, the gardener caused a great deal of harm.
The Cunning Wolf
You must look out for clever people, even if you consider yourself exceedingly clever.
The Penny-Wise Monkey
You should not risk something certainty for a minor improvement.
The Red-Bud Tree
Our views are highly dependent on our position. For example, someone who works the night shift at a store may have a very different view from someone who works in the afternoon. How could this story be applied to a modern setting? Maybe people who know a politician before and after he went to Washington.
The Woodpecker and the Lion
Don’t expect people to return favors, especially those who consider themselves high and mighty.
The Otters and the Wolf
It’s better to solve your own problems than rely on someone else.
Bibliography
Ellen C. Babbitt. More Jataka Tales. 1922.
I was really interested to see your notes on the Jataka tales, and these are really short and sweet, so great! I was especially intrigued about the 3 Fishes and the moral of the story being don't run away from home? Hmmm...... Also intruiguing was the Red-Bud Tree. We're talking about positionality (Our views being based off of position in life) in my "Understanding the Global Community" class, so I feel like this is a precursor to the lingo we're now using! Also, it would be sooooo interesting to apply this story to a politician (perhaps a candidate for presidency 2016? eh, eh?) before and after he/she goes to Washington! Cool writer's-eye note-taking you did there!
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