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Week 15: Fables of Bidpai Part B

For Part B of the Fables of Bidpai, I decided to focus on the story The Lean Cat and The Fat Cat. I must say it was the title that drew me into the story as I initially had no idea what to expect. After reading the story, I found it to be quite amusing and a little ridiculous haha. The ridiculous part to me was how the king had a decree to hang a cat if it was found to be stealing food. Just imaging a king making that decree in a royal court and then actually acting on this policy is so funny to me. Yet, I know this is a story more for children, so I understand sometimes ridiculous plots are needed to get the point across. A consistent lesson that I have seen among the short stories is the lesson of greed and the consequences that come with it. This was evident in the story about the Wolf and Two Otters, Ape and Boar, and now the Lean Cat and Fat Cat. You have to feel bad for the woman because she did warn the cat of the potential trouble it would get in, but then again, the cat was hungry. I also wonder how the Fat Cat felt. Did it feel remorse or was it simply feeling lucky to not have been caught? Also why did the other cat not warn the Lean Cat? These are something plot holes that I could address in a retelling of the story. 



Mythology and Folklore UN-Textbook: Bidpai: The Lean Cat and the Fat Cat

The lean cat about to caught for stealing food



Source: Fables of Bidpai, E. Boyd Smith, 1908








 Source: Fables of Bidpai, E. Boyd Smith, 1908

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  1. Caroline GatesNovember 15, 2020 at 7:58 PM

    Hey Neal, it looks like you got ahead a lot faster than anyone else I've seen, and that makes me feel super jealous! I think you did a great job of summarizing the 'Fables of Bidpai Part B' and after hearing your thoughts and opinions on the story it makes me want to read the original. You did a fantastic job!

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