Chapter I: Foreword

Long ago I was captivated by the charm of the Jataka Tales and realized the excellent use that might be made of them in the teaching of children. The obvious lessons are many of them suitable for little people, and beneath the obvious there are depths and depths of meaning which they may learn to fathom later on. The Oriental setting lends an additional fascination. I am glad that Miss Babbitt has undertaken to put together this collection, and commend it freely to teachers and parents.

FELIX ADLER.

CONTENTS

PAGE

I THE MONKEY AND THE CROCODILE 3

II HOW THE TURTLE SAVED HIS OWN LIFE 10

III THE MERCHANT OF SERI 13

IV THE TURTLE WHO COULDN'T STOP TALKING 18

V THE OX WHO WON THE FORFEIT 21

VI THE SANDY ROAD 25

VII THE QUARREL OF THE QUAILS 30

VIII THE MEASURE OF RICE 34

IX THE FOOLISH, TIMID RABBIT 39

X THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH MERCHANT 44

XI THE ELEPHANT GIRLY-FACE 52

XII THE BANYAN DEER 58

XIII THE PRINCES AND THE WATER-SPRITE 63

XIV THE KING'S WHITE ELEPHANT 69

XV THE OX WHO ENVIED THE PIG 74

XVI GRANNIE'S BLACKIE 77

XVII THE CRAB AND THE CRANE 84

XVIII WHY THE OWL IS NOT KING OF THE BIRDS 90

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

The Jatakas, or Birth-stories, form one of the sacred books of the Buddhists and relate to the adventures of the Buddha in his former existences, the best character in any story being identified with the Master.

These legends were continually introduced into the religious discourses of the Buddhist teachers to illustrate the doctrines of their faith or to magnify the glory and sanctity of the Buddha, somewhat as medieval preachers in Europe used to enliven their sermons by introducing fables and popular tales to rouse the flagging interest of their hearers.

Sculptured scenes from the Jatakas, found upon the carved railings around the relic shrines of Sanchi and Amaravati and of Bharhut, indicate that the "Birth-stories" were widely known in the third century B.C., and were then considered as part of the sacred history of the religion. At first the tales were probably handed down orally, and it is uncertain when they were put together in systematic form.

While some of the stories are Buddhistic and depend for their point on some custom or idea peculiar to Buddhism, many are age-old fables, the flotsam and jetsam of folk-lore, which have appeared under various guises throughout the centuries, as when they were used by Boccaccio or Poggio, merely as merry tales, or by Chaucer, who unwittingly puts a Jataka story into the mouth of his pardoners when he tells the tale of "the Ryotoures three."

Quaint humor and gentle earnestness distinguish these legends and they teach many wholesome lessons, among them the duty of kindness to animals.

Dr. Felix Adler in his "Moral Instruction of Children," says:

The Jataka Tales contain deep truths, and are calculated to
impress lessons of great moral beauty. The tale of the Merchant of
Seri, who gave up all that he had in exchange for a golden dish,
embodies much the same idea as the parable of the priceless Pearl,
in the New Testament. The tale of the Measure of Rice illustrates
the importance of a true estimate of values. The tale of the
Banyan Deer, which offered its life to save a doe and her young,
illustrates self-sacrifice of the noblest sort. The tale of the
Sandy Road is one of the finest in the collection.

And he adds that these tales "are, as everyone must admit, nobly conceived, lofty in meaning, and many a helpful sermon might be preached from them as texts."

Jataka Tales

I

THE MONKEY AND THE CROCODILE