Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales Part A


A large ox. Source: Wikimedia.

The Ox Who Won the Forfeit, from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

A long time ago a man owned an ox that was so powerful that he wanted everyone to know so he made a challenge to his village and said that he would give away 1000 pieces of silver if his ox could not haul 100 wagons.  They set it up and the owner of the ox began to whip the ox and call it names.  The ox refused to move.  Stunned, the owner went home with his ox and with 1000 silver less.  He asked the ox why he didn't move the carts and the ox told him that he was too harsh and that if he was nice next time, he would do it and win the man back his silver.  The owner put a wreath of flowers around the ox and they went back to the village and completed the challenge with ease.  The townspeople apologized and gave the man his silver back.

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