Bas relief of elephants on the “Descent of the Ganges” monument in Mahabalipuram, India
Photo taken by Bernard Gagnon (2006)
The Brahmin and the Goat
The story of the Brahmin and the goat is surprising in that it shows even A brahmin can be tricked. He doesn’t trust his own reason and so loses something valuable.
The King Elephant and the Mice
Although the king elephant doesn’t think much of the elephants, he overcomes this and accepts their deal. By being kind to seemingly insignificant creatures, the elephants are saved.
The Brahman, the Thief, and the Rakshasa
The moral of the story could also have been: Those who don’t work together may get wind up getting nothing at all.
The Lion, the Jackal, and the Cave
The lion becomes too desperate for a meal. He isn’t the most clever creature.
The Mouse and the Sage
People shouldn’t be barred from following their destiny. This is perhaps the oddest story in this book.
The Bird Who Shed Golden Droppings
The king is punished for being so trusting to others’ beliefs. This is like the first story, “The Brahmin and the Goat.” Someone suffers because they took more stock in others’ statements than their own beliefs.
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