The Dwarf and the Valiant

The Dwarf and the Valiant

Thousands of years ago there lived a dwarf in Bharatavarsha. He was an archer. He was going daily to gardens and plucking fruits using his arrows. He was eating them, he was a clever man. The people were calling him little archer.

One day he was going to market. He was having a big bow in his hand. Few people sitting in a cart were surprised to see a small boy carrying a big bow. “How is it possible?” they asked laughing at him. The dwarf said that he is an archer.

“Be careful, the arrow you shoot may become a boomerange” they said and went. The dwarf was in agony. “No body believes I am an archer. How do the people believe “if a dwarf handles a bow! I must deploy a tall and strong person for my help.” He felt.

Once he saw a fat person sitting preparing baskets. His name was Bhimasena.

Oh! Bhimasena! Why can’t you go to the palace and become an archer!” the dwarf asked. But I don’t know archery. How can I get there?”

“I do that job. You come with me,” the dwarf said and took Bhimasena to the palace. The bow was with Bhimasena . “O King! I am an archer. I need a job. This dwarf is my assistant. I am good archer.” Bhimasena said on directed by the dwarf.

The king employed Bhimasena. He told him to kill a wild tiger that is giving trouble to the villagers since a very long time. Bhimasena feared, but agreed.

“Bhimasena, you just ride a horse and enter the village. Tell the villagers that you have come to kill the tiger. Further they take care.” The dwarf advised.

Bhimasena rode a horse and entered the village affected by the tiger. The villagers were happy. “Oh Bhimasena! The king has sent you. We will support you. You may take a few villagers” the leaders said.

Bhimasena rode the horse. Few villagers followed him. They entered the forest. The tiger roared. All the villagers hit the tiger with long sticks. Bhimasena just watched the scene. The tiger was killed. Bhimasena brought the tiger to the palace. The king was so pleased to see the dead tiger and he gave him a golden necklace.

Bhimasena and the Dwarf lived in Varanasi together. They were peaceful. Bhimasena became popular as a hero. Few days passed. The people from the other village approached the king and told him that a bison has become harmful. The king ordered Bhimasena to go and kill the bison.

Bhimasena met the dwarf and informed him about his plight. The dwarf controlled him and asked him to repeat what he did to kill the tiger. Bhimasena did the same and with the help of the villagers killed the bison. The king was surprised. He allowed Bhimasena to reside in the palace. Bhimasena was joyful. He forgot to see the Dwarf. When the dwarf approached him, he said that he is not willing to see him. Once the Dwarf met Bhimasena in a garden. Bhimasena didn’t speak to him. Instead he lifted him up and threw.

It so happened that once enemies attacked the king of Varanasi. The king summoned Bhimasena. “O King! You need not worry. I shall hit the enemies” Bhimasena said and rode on Elephant to enter the war field. The dwarf who observed in wondered felt that Bhimasena should be taught a lesson.

In the war field he fought with the army. He told Bhimasena to get out of the war field as it is not possible for him to fight. Bhimasena fell down from the elephant and ran away.

The dwarf sitting on the elephant fought alone and drove the enemies. He asked the leader of enemies. The king got the information. He understood that the dwarf is the real hero. He welcomed dwarf and honoured him. He was given huge presents and a decent job in the palace.

Moral : Never underestimate anyone.

The Intelligent Student

The Intelligent Student

In olden days there was a centre of learning in Varanasi. There were many students. Dharmananda was the teacher. He had only one daughter. Her name was Sugunavati. She was beautiful looking girl for whom Dharmananda was searching for the right match. He preferred an intelligent student among his pupils as his son in law. But he was worried as how to judge the intelligence of his students. So he decided a plan and made a trick.

One day all the students were listening to teacher. “O my students, I wish to arrange the marriage of my daughter. But I don’t have any capacity to get her special costumes and jewels. Can anybody do that job for me,” the teacher asked. Then he continued.

Suppose any of you steal and bring then nobody should see you stealing. The students listened what their teacher said. From then onwards each one of them started bringing articles secretly and handing over them to the teacher. They were all stolen things. The teacher decided to examine them and return to the owners of those articles.

Gunasheela didn’t bring any article. He was seen depressed. Gunasheela, why did you not steal anything?” the teacher asked.

“Sir, I could have done it. But you said that nobody should see it. It was not possible. Nobody may see. But I would definitely see what I do. Is there anything more than conscience?” Gunashreela replied.

“Fine! Gunasheela! I was in search of students like you. You are intelligent. I don’t need any luxury. I just made a trick to find out the intelligent person. Stealing for a good cause is also wrong,” the teacher appreciated him.

Dharmananada ordered his pupils to return the articles to the respective owners. Sugunavati was married to Gunasheela.

Moral : Your conscience is the most important thing. You should not do anything that hurt your conscience.

A Fish and Worked Miracle

A Fish and Worked Miracle

Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born as a fish in a pond in northern India. There were many kinds of fish, big and small, living in the pond with the Bodhisattva.

There came to be a time of severe draught. The rainy season did not come as usual. The crops of men died, and many ponds, lakes and rivers dried up.

The fish and turtles dug down and buried themselves in the mud, frantically trying to keep wet and save them. The crows were pleased by all this. They stuck their beaks down into the mud, pulled up the frightened little fish, and feasted on them.

The suffering of pain and death by the other fish touched the Enlightenment Being with sadness, and filled him with pity and compassion. He realized that he was the only one who could save them. But it would take a miracle.

The truth was that he had remained innocent by never taking the life of anyone. He was determined to use the power of this wholesome truth to make rain fall from the sky, and release his relatives from their misery and death.

He pulled himself up from under the black mud. He was a big fish, and as black from the mud as, polished ebony. He opened his eyes, which sparkled like rubies, looked up to the sky, and called on the rain god Pajjunna. He exclaimed, "Oh my friend Pajjunna, god of rain, I am suffering for the sake of my relatives. Why do you withhold rain from me, who am perfectly wholesome, and make me suffer in sympathy with all these fish?"

"I was born among fish, for whom it is customary to eat other fish - even our own kind, like cannibals! But since I was born, I myself have never eaten any fish, even one as tiny as a rice grain. In fact, I have never taken life from anyone. The truthfulness of this my innocence gives me the right to say to you: Make the rains fall! Relieve the suffering of my relatives!"

He said this way one gives orders to a servant.

And he continued, commanding the mighty rain god Pajjunna: "Make rain fall from the thunderclouds! Do not allow the crows their hidden treasures! Let the crows feel the sorrow of their unwholesome actions. At the same time release me from my sorrow, which have lived in perfect wholesomeness."

After only a short pause, the sky opened up with a heavy downpour of rain, relieving many from the fear of death - fish, turtles and even humans. And when the great fish who had worked this miracle eventually died, he was reborn as he deserved.

Moral : Innocence and generosity helps relives many sufferings and pains.

The Jackal and the Lion

The Jackal and the Lion

Here is another interesting story from the collection of Jataka Tales. Once upon a time, there lived a lion in a forest. One day, when he went to drink water in a river, one of his feet got stuck into the damp mushy mud of the river. He tried a lot to get out of the mud, but to no avail. He had to lie without food for days because he didn’t find any help. On one fortunate day, a kind jackal came to drink water from the river. When he saw the lion, he went closer to the lion and said, “What is the matter? Why are you resting here?”

The lion narrated him the pathetic story. The Jackal instantly made a way out from the sand but the lion was unable to move his feet. As he was set in the same posture for last several days, his body became stiff. The jackal understood the condition of the lion and helped him to get out of the mud with an extra effort. The Lion was really thankful to jackal for his kind help. He was very happy to get free after so many days.

The Lion appreciated the effort made by the jackal. He offered the jackal to live close to him and also promised to give food to him whenever he caught food. The jackal accepted the offer and started living with the lion. Thus, they lived happily sharing the food. With the passing time, they expanded their families. The lion had cubs and the jackal had kid jackals. Both, the lion and the jackal were passing their days happily. They didn’t have any idea that their friendship was not liked by their families.

One day after a long time, the lioness, lady of the lion's house, asked her cubs that she didn’t like the amity between the jackal and her husband. The cubs conveyed the message to the kid jackals. The kids complained the matter to the lady jackal. The lady jackal conveyed the complaint to her husband.

The jackal went to the Lion and asked,” I helped you without any consideration in return. You had asked me to live with you, so I started living with you. Now, if you don’t want me to live with you, you should have told me yourself. What did you involve your wife and cubs to convey this? “. The Lion was shocked to hear such words. He said, “My dear friend, what are you saying? I don’t find any problem with you or your friendship”. He assured the jackal that he had no such ill-feelings for the friendship between them.

The Lion also assured that he would talk to the lioness and solve the whole matter. The jackal was intelligent and understood the situation. He said to the lion, “Dear friend, I know you are sincere, but our families could not exactly respond the same level of friendship. So, let us stay apart and meet often as friends. We could also hunt together. It would be better, if our families stay apart”. The Lion agreed to the proposal with a heavy heart.

The two families parted from each other as friends. The Jackal and the Lion continued to share the friendship. They often met each other and hunt together. Thus, the two friends shared a healthy friendship throughout their life.

Moral : Don’t expect the same intensity of love and friendship from others as you have for others.

The Sandy Road

The Sandy Road

This is a nice story from the collection of Jataka Tales. Once upon a time, there lived a merchant in a small village. The merchant dealt in different kinds of goods. He wanted to sell his goods in the town, in order to gain good sum of profits. One day, he decided to go to the town to try his fortune. He arranged for some men who could go along with him. During the journey, he had to pass through a desert, so he also arranged for water, rice and firewood.

According to the plan, he packed his goods in several carts and set out for the journey along with his mates. When they reached the desert, the sun was shining on the fine sand, making it severely hot. In the day time, no one could dare to walk on it. One could only think of travel through the desert during the night time, when the moon made the sands cool. So, the merchant and his people waited for the night to start their further journey.

With the arrival of night, they started their journey. One of them, had knowledge about the stars, so he was guiding the way to other people by reading the position of stars. They traveled for the whole night without taking any break. At daybreak, they stopped and camped. They released the oxen from the carts and fed them. They made fire, cooked the rice and ate the food to their fill. They spread a huge covering over all the carts and the oxen. Subsequently, all the men laid down under it, to rest till the sunset.

When the sun set in the early evening, they again built fire and cooked rice. After the meal, they folded the covering and tied the oxen to the carts. As soon as, the sand became cool, they again started their journey across the desert. Night after night, they traveled in such manner and rested during the day time. On the last morning, the one who was guiding the group said, “In one more night, we will cross the desert”. Every one was happy to hear this, as all of them were tired.

After taking meal in the evening, the merchant said, “Now, you people can throw the water and the firewood because tomorrow we will reach the town. Tie the oxen and start”. The Guide took his position at first in the line of the carts, but instead of sitting and guiding the drivers, he laid down in the cart on the cushions. Soon, he was in a deep slumber because he had not slept for many nights and in the daytime, the sun had been so strong that he had not slept properly.

The oxen went on, for the whole night. Near daybreak, the guide awoke and looked at the last stars fading in the light. He said to the drivers, “Stop! We are in the same place where we were yesterday. The oxen must have turned about while I slept”. They released the oxen, but there was no water for them to drink, as they had thrown away the water the previous night. They spread out the covering over the carts and the oxen rested tired and thirsty. The men lay down too, saying, “Without wood and water, we are lost”.

Every one was tired and sat down. The merchant thought, “This is no time for me to sleep. I have to find water. The oxen cannot start unless they get water to drink. The people need water other wise they cannot cook rice. If I give up, we will lose. There must be water somewhere below”. He walked down and down, keeping a close watch of the ground. Finally, he saw some grass and thought, “There must be water somewhere below otherwise that grass would not be there”.

He ran back, shrieking to the people, “Get the spade and the hammer”. All of them jumped up and ran with the merchant to the spot where he saw the grass. They started digging and after much toil, they struck a rock. After this, they could dig no further. The merchant jumped down into the hole they had dug and kept his ear to the rock. He called to them, “I can hear water running under this rock. We must not give up”. Then, the merchant came out of the hole and said to the serving boy, “My boy, if you give up, we are lost. Please go down and try”.

The boy stood up raising the hammer high above his head and hit the rock with his full strength. He didn’t give up, thinking the words of the merchant. Every time the hammer came down, he thought that everyone must be saved. Ultimately, the rock broke, the boy hardly got any time to come out of the hole and it was full of water. All the men drank water, as if they could never get enough. They watered the oxen and took bath.

After drinking and bathing, they split the extra wooden yokes and axles from their carts. They made a fire out of it and cooked their rice. They had their meal and rested through the day. They also placed a flag on the well, so that the passing travelers could see and have water. After the sunset, they started their journey and reached the town in the morning. They sold the goods making huge profits and happily returned back to their village.

Moral: With strong will and determination you can achieve everything.

The Greedy Crow

The Greedy Crow 

Once upon a time there was a pigeon who used to live on a nest close to a kitchen. The cooks of the kitchen used to like her very much and often used to feed her grain. She liked the place and her life was fine. One day a crow saw the pigeon and saw how it was getting wonderful food from the kitchen. Then one day she made friends with the pigeon, and under the pretext of friendship, she somehow made the pigeon to share the nest with the crow. The pigeon then told her that they could spend time together discussing politics, religion etc but when it came to food both had their own ways. So she suggested the crow to search for her own food. But the crow was impatient and the very reason she had made friends with the pigeon was for the food. The crow wanted meat and all the pigeon got was grains from the kitchen.

The crow could not wait any longer and ultimately decided that she visit the kitchen directly for the food. Thinking so it silently crept down the chimney into the kitchen. She got the smell of a fish being curried on the pan. She got greedy and went ahead and tried to get the fish. But in the process she disturbed a ladle, and created a noise. This alerted the cook who was in the neighboring room and he caught hold of the crow and killed it.

MORAL : Greed kills intelligence.

The Buffalo and The Monkey

The Buffalo and The Monkey 

Once, Lord Buddha was born in the form of a buffalo in an old forest in ancient India. He was kind-hearted and never troubled anyone. Just above his tree where the buffalo stayed, lived a very wicked monkey. He always caused trouble to the kind buffalo. Whenever he saw the buffalo sleeping, he would jump over his back from the tree. Sometimes he would catch hold of the buffalo’s tail and swing it in the air or pull his horns. Even though this caused pain to the buffalo, he was so kind and silent that he would not say anything to the monkey & forgive his behavior.

Yaksha, the soul of the tree could not tolerate the cruel behavior of the monkey anymore. One day he said to the buffalo ,” Why don’t you punish the wicked monkey for his mischief ? you are so big and strong that you can teach him a good lesson. “ The buffalo replied .” Oh good spirit, I don’t want to give pain to anyone. But the day is not very far when he will be punished for his bad deeds ”.

One day when the kind buffalo was away, a wild buffalo came and stood under the very same tree where the monkey lived. The wicked monkey did not know that it is a wild buffalo. He jumped from the tree and landed over the buffalo’s back with a loud thud. The wild buffalo got mad with anger. He attacked the monkey and killed him. The wicked monkey met his end in a cruel way.

MORAL : Give love, happiness and respect to others ; because you get back what you give to others.

The Brave Quail

The Brave Quail 

In a forest near Varanasi, there once live some quails. The shady grove in which they nested was also the favorite grazing ground of a herd of elephants. The leader of the herd was a wise and just elephant, the Bodhisattva. One day, one of the quails laid some eggs. I hope my eggs will be safe till they are hatched, she said to the father quail.

Soon after the fledglings were hatched, the elephant herd arrived. What shall I do? cried the mother." I can only fall at their feet and beg for protection". As the leader came close to her nest, the mother quail cried out, 'Oh mighty elephant, my little ones are in danger. If your herd enters the grove, they will be trampled to death'.

"Do not fear little one", said the elephant leader, "your children will not be harmed".
The kind elephant stood over the nest as the herd grazed. When the herd was leaving, the leader cautioned," There is a rogue elephant who is wild and dangerous. He might soon be coming this way".

What shall I do, I am so small and weak, said the helpless quail.
All you can do is appeal to him for mercy, advised the good elephant and departed.

Before long the rogue elephant arrived. The mother wasted no time and ran to the rogue elephant, begging, 'Oh powerful one! I beg of you, spare my young ones!'

How dare you come in my way? the rogue elephant replied and in no time destroyed the nest and killed the father.

There! That is the end of your silly brood, the rogue elephant sneered.

The mother quail grieved over her family for a long time. She vowed to teach the rogue elephant a lesson. She thought long and hard and finally came up with a plan. She went to her friend crow and narrated her sad tale. The crow was very sympathetic. The rogue must not go unpunished, the crow proclaimed and agreed to the mother quail’s plan. The quail then went to her friend, the ant and sought her help.

I heard about your babies, the ant said. I am deeply grieved. What can I do? The quail told the ant her plan and the ant readily agreed. The quail then went to the frog, her long-time friend, and narrated what happened. I am trying to get my friends, the crow, the ant and you to help me punish the spiteful elephant who killed my babies. You can count on me said the frog and followed the quail.

The three friends then implemented the quail’s plan. First, the crow darted at the elephant and plucked out the elephant’s eyes. Then the ant quickly went and laid her eggs in the eye sockets. As the eggs hatched and the baby ants began biting, the elephant could not bear the pain any more and desperately searched for water to wash his eyes. As the elephant dashed around in pain, the frog croaked close to a steep precipice. The blind elephant followed the sound of the frog’s croaking, thinking that water would be nearby.
Soon the elephant hurtled down to his death.

The three friends came together near the pond. Thank you all for helping me to carry out my plan, the mother quail said. "Let this be a lesson to all that even the small and weak can join together to correct an injustice.

The Elephant and The Forster

The Elephant and The Forester

In one of his previous incarnations, Lord Buddha was born as a white elephant in a forest in the Himalayas. He was gentle and kind. The herd of elephants to which he belonged, however, was cruel and killed innocent creatures for fun.
One day the Bodhisattva could not take it any more and left the herd to live alone. He lived peacefully by himself, giving help and good counsel to various animals.
One day a forester from Varanasi came into the forest and lost his way. He was frightened. As the light grew fainter at dusk, the forester began to panic. What will happen now? he cried aloud. Suddenly he heard the sound of heavy footsteps. What is that? he asked himself. Gathering courage he turned around and saw a white elephant standing next to him. He was surprised to hear the white elephant say to him in a human voice, I heard you scream, is there anything I can do for you? The forester was relieved. I have lost my way, he replied. I want to go to Varanasi. I know the way and I will get you there, the elephant replied. But first you rest in my cave and spend a few days here.

The forester enjoyed the serene surroundings for a few days and then decided to go back to Varanasi.
The elephant asked him to get on his back. As the elephant proceeded, the forester observed the route so that he could come back, if needed. They finally reached the edge of the forest and bid farewell to each other.

One day the forester came to an ivory shop. He admired the carvings and was amazed to find out how expensive they were. Would the tusk of a living elephant be equally expensive? asked the forester. It is better, replied the ivory carver. And priced much higher.


Greed got the better of the forester and he rushed back to the forest. He met the gentle white elephant and pretended to be sad.
What is the matter? You look so unhappy! the elephant inquired.
I am up to my neck in debt, the forester replied. Only a piece of your tusk can save me.


The elephant sat down immediately and held his trunk out obligingly, I will be glad to give you both of my tusks.
The forester had come fully prepared and took out his saw. Soon he removed most of the tusks leaving only two stumps attached to the elephant. The elephant departed in great pain but happy that his tusks would relieve the forester from his debts.

Back in Varanasi, the forester received a huge sum of money for the prime tusks. He spent the money in no time buying luxurious goods for himself and his family. Soon he was left with nothing.
Should I have cut a little more? the greedy forester thought as he tossed and turned in bed wrestling with his conscience. Finally, his greed won over and he started for the forest in the morning.

He found the kind elephant. Your tusks have cleared my old debts but I need money to live, he pled again.
The gentle, benevolent elephant once again sat down and said, You may have what is left of my tusks.

The elephant courageously bore the excruciating pain as the forester pulled out the remaining tusks. The forester then packed the tusks into his bag and headed back to Varanasi, saying, I have done with you, my friend, I have got all there is to get.

The elephant, torn and trembling, watched the forester go. Not a word of reproach escaped the elephant’s lips.

Suddenly the ground split open before the forester and he was encircled by fire. The forester realized that he was being punished for his greed, but it was too late. As the fire consumed the forester, he heard a voice say, An ungrateful man is never satisfied not even if he is given the whole world. As for the kind elephant, he lived the rest of his life in the peace and quiet of the Himalayas.

MORAL : Those who kill others because of their greed, meet the same fate for their cruel deed.

The Wise Lion

The Wise Lion

A hare once resting under a banyan tree had a premonition of doom. “What would happen to me if the earth were to break up?” he wondered. Suddenly, there was a ‘thud’ followed by a rumbling sound.
“It’s happened,” thought the hare, “the earth's breaking up !"He jumped up and ran.

“Why are you running?” asked another hare who crossed his path. "The earth’s breaking up!” shouted the first hare. “You’d better run too.” The second hare ran so fast he overtook the first.
“The earth’s breaking up, the earth’s breaking up!” he shouted to other hares he passed. Soon thousands of hares were scampering through the forest. Other animals too got caught up in the panic. The word spread from mouth to mouth, and soon everyone knew: the earth was breaking up.

It was not long before the whole jungle was on the move. Reptiles, insects, birds and four-footed animals fled in wild disorder, and their cries of terror filled the air.
A lion standing on a hillock, saw the animals coming and wondered what was going on. He hastened down and positioning himself in front of the horde called for it to stop.
“The earth is breaking up!” shrieked a parrot, alighting on a rock near him. “Who says so?” “I heard it from the monkeys." The monkeys said they had heard it from the tigers, who said their informants were the elephants, who gave the buffaloes as their source. When the hares were finally implicated they pointed one to another until the one who had started it all was identified.

“What makes you think the earth is breaking up?” the lion asked him. “I heard it cracking with my own ears, sir,” said the hare, trembling in fear. The lion investigated the sound the hare had heard and found that it had been caused by a large coconut falling from a tree. It had landed on a pile of rocks, causing a minor landslide.
“Go back to your homes,” said the lion to the animals who had been running away, and who were now looking very foolish. " The earth is safe. Next time check a rumor before acting on it ".

Story of Hare on the Moon

Story of Hare on the Moon 

On a full moon day, we can see a mark on the moon which looks like a hare. There is a interesting story about this mark on the moon.
Once, Lord Buddha was born in the form of a hare in a forest in Varanasi. He used to play with his 3 friends, a monkey an otter and a jackal. One day the hair said to his friends,” We do nothing but play the whole day. Let us do some charity. If we give alms, we would be rewarded”.

Hearing this, the monkey climbed up a mango tree and plucked down some sweet and juicy mangoes for all. The otter dived into a river and caught some fish and brought those for charity. The jackal did not know what to do. So he stole some curd for a hut. The hair being so small tried to find something in the grass. But he could find nothing and was disappointed. He came back to his friends and said, ” I could find nothing, so I have decided to give away my body in charity”.

Lord Indra, the king of Gods, heard this. He came down to earth in the form of a monk to test the hare. He reached the hair and said,” I am hungry. Give me something to eat ”. The hare gladly replied,” I can offer you my body”. Saying this, the hare lit up the fire and jumped into it. To his surprise, the fire did not burn him. Lord Indra came to his original form and said,” your act of sacrifice is so great that the whole world will remember you for ages “. Saying this Lord Indra drew a hare in the moon. This mark is there today also and reminds us to help the needy and to give alms to the poor.

MORAL : Do charity and sacrifice. Don't be selfish.