Reading Notes: Part A Jataka Tales

For this week I chose to read the Jataka tales. Last year taking Mythology and Folklore, I really enjoyed reading short stories and folktales with clever endings and animal characters. The first story I read for Indian Epics was about the Goblins in Lanka another example of a fun short story. Thus, I wanted to pursue more of these stories through the Jataka tales. In particular I read The Monkey and the Crocodile. It was interesting to see in the note that the Jataka tales were actually folktales told by Buddha about his previous lives. Regarding the story I read, I could see why Buddha told the tale as there are some interesting lessons that can come from the monkey's actions. Like most animal short stories, there always seems to be a smart animal that is seemingly not that powerful but always overcomes the dangerous but dumb animal. I do wonder why there are so similarities between these animal stories and perhaps its just that many cultures had a tremendous emphasis on brains versus brawn. The solutions the Monkey were very simple and somewhat childish, but again it is important to remember the intended audience. If I were to retell the story, I might make It more difficult for the monkey to evade the crocodile or have more interesting solutions. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but if I do retell the story, I will make sure to add more action or even change the outcome.

Source: Jataka Tales, Ellen C. Babbitt, Ellsworth Young, 1912

The Monkey and The Crocodile • Moral Stories

The monkey riding the back of the crocodile to the island full of fruits

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