| J.038 |
Baka Jaataka |
A crane, living near a pond where the water dried up in summer, offered to carry
the fish to a distant pond where water was plentiful. The fish, very suspicious,
sent a representative with the crane to verify his words. When the representative
returned with a favourable report, they accepted the craneís offer. One by one, the
fish were carried off and eaten by the crane until only a crab was left. The wily
crab agreed to go too, but he clung to the craneís neck with his pincer and when
he discovered the craneís intention, used his pincer to sever the craneís neck. The
Jataka was told in reference to a monk of Jetavana who was a clever robe-maker. He
could dye a robe of rags so skilfully that it looked as good as new. Visiting monks,
on seeing them, would exchange their new robes for his, and not discover their folly
until later. A similar robe-maker lived in a hamlet at some distance from Jetavana,
who, hearing of the Jetavana monk, succeeded in cheating him. The monk was the crane
and the hamlet-dweller the crab of the Jataka. |
55/355 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.220ff. |
deceit, cheat |