Reading Notes: The Dullard (Tuesday)

An Indian grey mongoose.

Photograph by J.M. Garg (2008).

The Dullard

1. Each of the brahmans look comical. Exaggerated features seem to be a common characteristic of villains or antagonists in these comic books, while beauty is the mark of heroes (e.g. Rama and Sita).
2. Now that the dullard is allowed to go on the journey, the person who invited him is likely to be punished greatly or rewarded greatly. My guess is that he’ll be punished, since he’s allowing someone to go along who might not deserve it.
3. This story got really grim really fast. The dullard actually proved to be more clear-headed than the other brahman. It’s unfortunate that he’s now alone because of his friends’ stupidity. How would he go about his life from then on?

The Greedy Barber

1. Riches are the only thing keeping Manibhadra the merchant’s friends around. Are they not the greedy ones?
2. The barber takes the exception for the rule. He thinks that since his friend found extraordinary wealth, he will too.
3. The barber is punished for not knowing the full story.

The Mongoose and the Brahman’s Wife

1. Like the greedy barber, the wife in this story acts before knowing the full story.
2. For this, she is punished by losing the mongoose who saved her son.

The Wheel-Bearer

1. This story seems rather unfair. The fourth man is punished for seeking more than gold. The other men are rewarded for their efforts. It seems only logical that after the other men find a number of precious metals, that he would search for gems.

Ekabuddhi

1. The fish are too confident in their own powers. They’ll likely come to a bad end.
2. Although the frogs may not consider themselves particularly tricky, they manage to escape the fishermen and a bad fate.

The Lazy Brahman

1. That brahman expects far too much from the pot of flour.
2. How would the lazy brahman have fared if he hadn’t kicked over that pot of flour?

Bibliography

The Dullard. Amar Chitra Katha, v. 585.